Kitchen Garden Forum

Does anyone know whether you can eat nasturtium seed pods? I've been looking at them in the garden and they look so juicy, I was wondering whether they can be pickled and used like capers.

Yes and yes. They're very peppery. But if that's your thing, I can recommend them.

they are a substitute for capers I have a recipe if you need one !

Yes please!

hardly a recipe as very easy !
Taken from Readers Digest 'Food from your Garden'
Pickled Nasurtium seeds
Pick the seeds on a dry day then wash and steep in a brine solution of 2oz salt to a pint of water or 50g to 600ml
Drain and pack into small jars to within 1inch of the top
cover with cold spiced vinegar and seal
ready to use after 1 month

I have made them in the past

Thanks!

my pleasure

They need to be picked when still green and crunchy, not when they're dried and brown - might be obvious, but wasn't to someone I know

Thanks for that Gilly. I've noticed the pods on my nasturtiums and to be honest I thought they were caper pods. What are capers then if they are not nasturtium pods, as a matter of interest? Now you've provided the method of pickling them I'll pick mine and preserve them. Might just about collect enough to fill a small mustard jar, but it's always nice to have something home grown.

QUESTION - What are capers?

ANSWER

Pickled onions which have shrunk ???

Thanks for the recipe for pickled nasturtiums- haven't checked forum for a while. I've just picked a load of seeds do will try it out.
Hungry caterpillar.

I hope you enjoy them !