A Tangy Caper Relish

The caper plant grows on stones, rocks and cliffs and is renowned for its beneficial properties


Chef: Nena Ismyrnoglou

Preparation & Cooking time: 5'

Serves: 8

The caper bush is a low-maintenance plant that does not like to grow in fields, near cities or in good soil. With something of the briny taste of the sea, it grows on the rocky slopes of the Santorini caldera and near the dry-stone walls built by farmers to contain soil erosion. The buds and leaves are collected from late June through end-August, stored in jars with brine and used in salads or tangy sauces. In Santorini’s traditional cuisine, they are also used in fava dip, giving it a nice tart flavor, and are served along with crunchy, fried fava balls.

Capers are a rich source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium and zinc, as well as flavonoids. They have been considered to have healing powers since antiquity. Also a mild diuretic, they are used to combat water retention and, possibly because of their anti-inflammatory properties, as a painkiller. The plant is also attributed with antioxidant qualities.

INGREDIENTS

 For approx. 300 gr:

  • ½ cup capers
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes preserved in oil, well drained
  • ½ cup “Throuba” (or Kalamon) olives, pitted
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 30 ml brandy or ouzo (if you don’t want to use alcohol, add extra oil to achieve the right result)
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 70 ml olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. fresh mint or fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped (or 1 tbsp. dry leaves, finely chopped)

CAPER RELISH: INSTRUCTIONS  

In a blender, mix the capers, tomatoes, olives and garlic in a soft purée. Add the alcohol (if using), the pepper and blend for a few more seconds. Gradually pour in the olive oil while continuing to blend, until the mix has an almost smooth consistency. Add your herb of choice, mix in with a spoon and leave the relish in a jar for 10 days. If you are not going to use it immediately, you can initially omit the herb and add it shortly before serving.

INFO

Capers are sold in small glass jars by SantoWines (buds and leaves). They can also be found at selected grocery stores and delis outside Santorini.



Read More

Santorini

LIDL Hellas Contributes 500,000 Euros for a “Plastic Free Santorini”

The supermarket chain is throwing its weight behind an initiative...


Santorini

Horseback Riding on Santorini’s Rugged Terrain

Now you can ride off into the world famous sunset...


Santorini

Akrotiri, The Pompeii of the Aegean

Christos Doumas, emeritus professor of archaeology, takes us on a...


Greece Is Blog Posts

An Ode to Local Products

BY Yiouli Eptakili

No more avocado toast and croque-madames. From Thessaloniki to Crete...

read more >

How Can Greece Become a Gastro-Tourism Destination?

BY Yiouli Eptakili

It’s about more than just taking a trip...

read more >

Leaving Room in Greece for Everyone

BY Greece Is

Labor Day, this year September 5, marks the...

read more >