Are capers and green peppercorns the same thing?
Capers are pickled flower buds (capparis spinosa). Green, black, and white peppercorns are all the berries of the pepper plant (piper nigrum). Black peppercorns are the dried, ripe berries. White peppercorns are like black ones but with the outer shell removed. They have a milder flavor. Green peppercorns are the unripe berries, which are either freeze-dried or preserved in brine. If the recipe calls specifically for pickled green peppercorns, capers would be a reasonable substitute (for the tangy, briny flavor and similar texture). I’m guessing, though, that it wants dried green peppercorns, which have a very similar texture and flavor profile to black peppercorns. When in doubt, substitue peppercorns for peppercorns. Most types of peppercorns are practically interchangeable in recipes.
