maltese Recipes
13 delicious maltese recipes from around the world
Aljotta (Maltese Fish Soup)
Aljotta is a traditional Maltese fish soup, particularly popular during Lent due to its meat-free nature. It's characterized by its rich flavor derived from using whole fish, along with garlic, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs.
Bigilla (Maltese Broad Bean Dip)
A rustic and flavorful dip made from mashed broad beans, garlic, and a blend of spices, often served with crusty bread or crackers. It's a staple appetizer in Maltese cuisine.
Bragioli (Maltese Beef Olives)
Thinly pounded beef olives (bragioli) are stuffed with a savory mixture of bacon, breadcrumbs, hard-boiled eggs, and herbs, then braised in a rich tomato and wine sauce.
Fenkata-Style Chicken Liver Pâté
Inspired by the rich flavors of Maltese rabbit stew (fenkata), this chicken liver pâté incorporates similar aromatic herbs and wine, creating a deeply savory and spreadable delicacy.
Ħobż biż-Żejt
A quintessential Maltese open-faced sandwich, featuring crusty bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil, and often topped with tuna, capers, onions, and olives. It's a simple yet flavorful representation of Maltese culinary tradition.
Imqaret
Traditional Maltese sweet pastries made of a thin, crisp pastry filled with a spiced date paste. They are typically deep-fried and infused with the flavors of aniseed and citrus.
Kapunata (Maltese Caponata)
Kapunata is Malta's vibrant take on caponata, a sweet, sour, and savory vegetable stew. It features a medley of seasonal vegetables, most notably eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes, slow-cooked to perfection.
Kusksu (Maltese Vegetable Soup)
A hearty and comforting vegetable soup featuring kusksu (small pasta pearls), often enriched with eggs and flavored with mint and lemon.
Lampuki Pie (Maltese Fish Pie)
A savory pie featuring flaky white fish (lampuki, or dorado/mahi-mahi) baked with vegetables, herbs, and olives in a rich tomato sauce, all encased in a golden pastry crust.
Pastizzi
Iconic Maltese savory pastries with a flaky, multi-layered crust, typically filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas. They are a popular snack enjoyed at any time of day.
Stuffat tal-Fenek (Maltese Rabbit Stew)
A hearty and flavorful rabbit stew, considered Malta's national dish. It features slow-cooked rabbit in a rich sauce with wine, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, often served with vegetables.
Timpana (Maltese Baked Macaroni Pie)
Timpana is a show-stopping Maltese dish featuring macaroni pasta coated in a rich meat sauce, then encased in a savory shortcrust pastry and baked until golden brown. It's a celebratory and hearty meal.
Zalzett tal-Malti (Fried Maltese Sausage)
A popular Maltese appetizer or snack, Zalzett tal-Malti are flavorful pork sausages seasoned with a unique blend of spices, often served fried with a crusty bread or as part of a larger meze platter.