Capers – pickle this

Once upon a time, an intrepid journalist asked a supermarket produce expert where he might find capers. When met with a quizzical look in response, he replied ‘Umm, they’re little round green things.’ He was shown where he could find tinned peas. The moral of this story is that, sometimes, even the smallest of tasks can become quite the... caper.

And yet, ask any fan of cucinando Italiano how they’d say capers taste and the answer is simple: ‘magnifico!’; or, perhaps ‘magnifica’ - the aforementioned journalist knows more about capers than the Italian language!

WHAT ARE CAPERS ANYWAY?

The caper bush (Capparis spinosa) grows up to a metre in height with pale, light purple flowers and (of course) succulent, salty pearls of flavour. Capers spring from Mediterranean soil but they can be grown in New Zealand too.

GROWING GUIDE

As the caper bushes are weeds, they are incredibly resilient and can grow in rocky soil - providing it drains freely - and plants receive plenty of sun. They are especially well accustomed to coastal areas. Before sowing caper seeds, soak in hot water for approximately 24 hours and leave them in the fridge for a couple of weeks. A further soaking in warm water before resting them for a further 12 hours is advisable too. Sow seeds in a small pot or container using standard seed raising mix. Keep the seedlings inside or in a greenhouse until spring until the last frost has passed.

As they naturally grow in semi-arid conditions, caper bushes need little water. However, one of the major benefits of growing them in containers is that they can be brought inside during heavy rain. Caper bushes can survive low temperatures but will be easily damaged by frost.

While extensive pruning is not necessary, as capers grow on firstyear branches, every autumn they can use a little haircut to ensure a plentiful harvest the following season. From late spring into early autumn, the caper bush will produce green buds – these are the capers themselves. If you don’t pick these buds they will develop into attractive white flowers; but the flowers don’t taste quite so nice on pizza!

Once picked, get pickled! Capers aren’t exactly tasty when taken straight from the garden but, with a little effort, their true colours do shine through.

To pickle, cover capers with salt and leave them in a dry spot for 2-3 days, shaking from time to time. Next, pour them into a colander and, using cold water, rinse thoroughly to remove excess salt. Soak in warm water for 15-20 minutes; drain, rinse and repeat.

Transfer capers into jars with white wine vinegar (capers should be tightly packed but not crammed into the jars) and allow them 1-2 months to pickle.

HARVEST & PICKLING

CHEAP IS NOT ALWAYS BEST

Smith & Sons Pukekohe owners, LANE and MELISSA VAN DEN BRINK talk about building quotes – understanding the wording, what they cover and how ‘extras’ are determined.

We all love a good bargain, but when it comes to a build project it’s important to understand what you are getting for your money and, when comparing quotes between builders, that you are comparing apples with apples.

So, we thought we would help out by making sure you can decipher some builder’s jargon.

Apart from pricing there can be quite a few differences within a quote so a good place to start is by going over the specifications and the scope of works – what we have allowed for us to do and with what products.

In all our Smith and Sons quotes we include a specification sheet so clients can clearly see what work we will carry out and with what products.

Other things to look for are ‘inclusions’ and ‘exclusions’ – all quotes should have these and while some are pretty selfexplanatory some are not.

PS and PC sums – what are they are and why are on the quote?

• PC sums are generally items the client chooses and for which we provide a price allowance. They may include bathroom fittings, kitchen, appliances, flooring and more. • A PS sum is for items where there isn’t enough detail to quote on. That’s likely to include earthworks as what’s underneath is usually unknown!

Sometimes we make mistakes; we all do! By going through the quote there could be items missing from the less expensive of your options in which case, it will still cost in the long run.

It’s about making sure, at the start, that everything you are expecting is there and, if you are unsure, ask questions! We always try and sit down with our potential clients and walk through a quote so they have a clear understanding of what it contains.

ELEVATE YOUR GARDEN

Kiwis love their outdoor living so it makes sense that you will want your yard looking its best especially when outdoor entertaining is on the agenda.

In cultivating a lush garden, remember to consider its height to provide shade, privacy and a sense of presence.

Here are some tips to help create a garden reminiscent of a tropical paradise:

• Tall plants: Select exotic species with large leaves that grow upward and outward. Ficuses, monsteras, philodendrons and palm trees are all great picks especially in moderate climates such as Auckland.

• Climbing plants: Guide vines up walls, along fences and around other structures such as pergolas or archways to expand the reach of your garden. If you want to add a splash of colour, choose flowering species.

• Epiphytic plants:

Commonly found perched on trees in rainforests, these plants can grow without soil. To recreate this look, mount orchids, bromeliads and tillandsias to a pergola or trellis. But be sure you’ll have time to care for these delicate plants.

• Potted plants: A simple way to add some height to your garden is to fill pots, baskets and hangers with greenery and arrange them on shelves, ladders, fences, tables and other elevated hardscape.

Finally, if you have the room, consider planting one or more mid size trees. As they grow, they’re sure to take your yard to new heights!

THINKING OF RENOVATING? WE MAKE IT EASY WITH OUR THREE SIMPLE STEPS...

Let’s start the conversation Call Smith & Sons Franklin on 0800 764 846 or visit smithandsons.co.nz 19 Manukau Road, Pukekohe

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