caper picking challenge.

Springtime, especially May, is prime time for picking capers on Samos island. So, knowing that, we started searching for them everywhere. They usually hide among other plants, making them tricky to spot. You'll often find them growing along roadsides.

At first glance, they look like cute green bushes, but up close, they reveal their wild nature. And by wild, we mean really wild if you don’t know how to pick them properly. The plant is covered in prickles, similar to a rose bush, but with the prickles pointing downwards. This means if you try to pick a caper by pulling it towards you, you're in for some trouble.

We learned from the locals that the trick is to gently hold a caper and twist it slowly to one side until it pops out. Super easy, but it does take a while to gather enough to fill a jar.

Once you've picked enough, fill the jar with water, change the water every couple of days, and repeat this a few times. The secret is to keep the jar upside down. After this cycle, just put in fresh water, rock salt, and a bit of lemon salt. In about two weeks, you’ll have a delicious jar of capers.

It's so satisfying to taste them, knowing you picked them in such an organic way and made them yourself! They go perfectly with salads and seafood. Bon appétit!

May, 2024