Thrive Market Organic Capers

Perhaps a lesser-known pantry staple, capers boast a unique flavor that can add some salty spunk to just about any savory dish. These hand-picked flower buds weigh in at only five calories per serving, but you wouldn’t guess it from the amount of flavor they hold. The best thing about our capers of course, is that they’re certified organic and certified kosher. At Thrive Market, we offer the finest ingredients, pantry staples, and speciality foods for our customers, and these organic capers are no exception.

A quick history of capers

Hailing from the coast of the Mediterranean, the caper plant makes its home in mountainside crags and cracks in walls. And while the shrub is praised for its ability to keep soil and man-made structures from crumbling with its hearty root system, its uses expand far beyond architecture and landscaping.

Centuries ago, the ancient Greeks and Romans used caper in their medicine, and indeed in modern times we have discovered that the little plant helps the body in many ways. But eventually, they also discovered that these tiny buds tasted oh-so delicious and began using them as a spice or garnish.

To go into detail, capers are the edible flower buds of the plant. They are often preserved in a pickled form, but can also come packed in dry salt. Non Pareil capers are known to be the finest form of the plant on the market today. These flower buds are picked by hand, dried in the sun, and pickled in vinegar.

Capers and your health

Despite their small size, capers are loaded with flavor. It only takes a handful to change a recipe. Not only do they pack a powerful punch for your taste buds, but they also contain nutrients essential for good health:

Iron - Capers contain a moderate amount of iron. Although you can’t rely solely on them to fulfill your body’s need for the essential mineral, a little extra helps.

Vitamin K - Capers are a good source of vitamin K, as 1 tablespoon of these tasty little buds delivers 31 percent of the average adult’s recommended intake.

How to use capers

If you’re not sure how to use capers or what they pair well with, have no fear. Here are a couple of our favorite recipes that feature the small but mighty, round plant.

Open-Faced Tuna Melts

These open-faced tuna melts are an upscale spin on a classic comfort food. They only take about 10 minutes to make and feature toasted bread, gooey cheese, and of course capers. In a bowl, mix together tuna, mayonnaise, mustard, red onion, capers, cornichons, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Place your bread on a baking sheet and spread each slice with mayonnaise. Top with the tuna salad mixture, two slices of tomato, and one slice of cheese. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes and enjoy.

Spaghetti with Sardines, Arugula, and Artichokes

Spaghetti gets a little Mediterranean flair in this pasta with sardines, arugula, and artichokes. Cook your noodles al dente, drain, and reserve ¾ cup of the cooking water. Drizzle pasta with a small amount of olive oil, turning to coat, then set aside.

In a large skillet, quickly sauté the sardines in a tablespoon of their own oil with the mustard and lemon and orange zests. Set aside.

In the same skillet over medium heat, toss in some oil and cook the garlic until fragrant. Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the cooking water and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the arugula, artichokes, olives, capers, and the remaining 1/4 cup of cooking water. Bring down to a simmer and stir until the pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.

After simmering, the pasta will be coded in a creamy sauce, at which point you can mix in garlic powder, lemon juice, and the sautéed sardines.For the final touch sprinkle of some fresh ground pepper, savory capers, and dig in.

Olive Oil Poached Sea Bass

There’s very few better marriages than the one between seafood and Mediterranean seasonings. To celebrate this most holy matrimony, we’re sharing this olive oil poached sea bass recipe.To begin, pat the fish fillets dry and season with salt and pepper.

Next you’re going to line a baking dish with lemon slices and top with the fillets. Add parsley, thyme, capers, and shallots on top, and then pour in enough olive oil to almost cover the fish. Throw on some more lemon slices, sprinkle orange zest on top, let it bake, and enjoy your tender, flavorful sea bass.

More about Thrive Market products

At Thrive Market, our mission is to bring you the highest quality organic goods at truly affordable prices. That's why we've gone directly to the source to develop our own line of premium products made from the very best all-natural ingredients at a fraction of the usual price.

Thrive Market, Organic Capers, Non-Pareil