Caper

Capers are the unopened flower buds of a bush common to the Mediterranean. Small round ones, called nonpareil, come from the South of France, and the larger football-shaped capers from Italy and Spain. Capers are sold packed in either salted white vinegar or dry salt, which act as preservatives, and should be rinsed off before use. Pantelleria, an island off Sicily, produces the most prized capers.