A Bit of a Caper
Poor man’s capers
Capers are not really viable in our clinate, and tricky to boot. Nasturtiums are great for use in salads, especially the flowers, bees love them, and the seeds make a passable substitute for capers. So here is a recipe from the careful generation making do after the war, from whom we can all learn a lot!
From Good Housekeeping c 1950
Nasturtium seeds
Spiced vinegar made with:-
1/2 teaspoonful salt
1 bay leaf
3 peppercorns
to each half pint if vinegar.
Method:
Pick the seeds on a dry day, wash them and examine them. Dry them well and put them in a cool oven, or in the sun to dry them for three to four days. Put the ingredients for the spiced vinegar in a pan, bring to the boil, remove from the heat and infuse for at least 30 minutes before using. Pack the seeds into jars, cover with the cold spiced vinegar and cap securely. Use as a substitute for capers.