According to Rosaria, here at 2GourManiacs, the caperberry is a scrumptious, briney, pungent, versatile, piquant, delicious, crunchy condiment that goes wonderfully in many dishes, adding a unique, complex taste and depth to various foods. The capers of Pantelleria, an island off the coast of Sicily, are some of the most prized because the volcanic soil contributes to their rich aroma and taste. An excellent source for purveying capers, as well as a great assortment of real Italian foods and ingredients, is BuonItalia in Manhattan’s Chelsea Market. The charming Signor Mimmo makes sure that the store is fully stocked with a large selection of favorite Italian foods at reasonable prices. Click here: BuonItalia Imported Italian Food. Well, after my recent shopping expedition at BuonItalia, I came home with some caperberries in brine, as well as a variety of other delectables stuffed in five shopping bags, and discovered a new way to enjoy capers the very next morning: finely chopped on top of a soft boiled egg. A Breakfast of Champions, providing a remarkably provocative visual in my dish … Capperi!
Caperberries & Eggs
According to Wikipedia, The caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is a perennial spiny bush that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and big white to pinkish-white flowers. A caper is also the pickled bud of this plant. The bush is native to the Mediterranean region, growing wild on walls or in rocky coastal areas throughout. The plant is best known for the edible bud and fruit (caper berry) which are usually consumed pickled. Capers are a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. The buds, when ready to pick, are a dark olive green and about the size of a kernel of corn (or a small olive). They are picked, then pickled in salt, or a salt and vinegar solution, or drained. Intense flavor is developed, as mustard oil (glucocapparin) is released from each caper bud. Capers are a distinctive ingredient in Italian cuisine, especially in Sicily. They are commonly used in salads, pastas, sauces (salsa puttanesca), caponata, as well as with meats, chicken and fish. Capers are also known for being one of the ingredients of tartar sauce. They are also often served with cold smoked slamon or cured salmon dishes.
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