Pickled Blackberries, Smoked Mozzarella and Plums – Volpi Foods

Ingredients

• 1 cup white balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1½ tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon whole green cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 2 strips lemon peel
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 ounces blackberries (about 2 cups)
• vegetable oil
• 1 (1-pound) ball fresh, salted mozzarella, halved
• 2 black plums, halved and pitted
• quart jar, heatproof
• grill with a smoke box or aluminum foil pan
• baking sheet
• wood chips, preferably a fruitwood such as apple or cherry