Maltese food is influenced by its close proximity to Silicly and North Africa yet it still contains its individuality with its own unique twist.
You’ll find an array of Mediterranean flavours with an emphasis on seafood, vegetables, pasta, meats, bread, cheese and olive oils – a lot of it! For the most authentic Maltese cuisine, look out for the family-run restaurants in the smaller towns.
1. Pastizzi (Pastries with Ricotta cheese or mashed peas)
You won’t go very far in Malta before you see (or smell!) one of these delicious creations. These days they are filling pastizzis with many different ingredients but the two traditional pastizzis contain ricotta cheese or mushy curried peas. They are extremely fatty and very high in calories so don’t get too excited when you see the 30c price tag unless you want your waste to expand at a rapid rate. Best had in the morning when they’re fresh out of the oven!
2. Timpana (Baked Macaroni Pie)
Every Maltese family claims to hold the perfect recipe for the best timpana, passed on from past generations, and we’ve never tasted one we didn’t quite like! Cooked macaroni are tossed in a rich tomato sauce containing minced meat, bacon and very often, chopped liver.
Eggs and sometimes cheese are then added, and the heart-stopping mixture is enclosed in pastry and baked in an oven. The result is literally a delicious, flaky macaroni pie often served as a starter prior to a meat dish. Not great for the hips but a firm favourite in every household!
3. Gbejniet (Maltese Cheese)
The Maltese love their cheese, especially Gbejniet! Gbejniet is a typical, extremely versatile Maltese cheese made from goats or sheep’s milk, salt and rennet. It can be found in 3 forms; fresh, dried or cured and can be flavoured with pepper (our preference) or plain. Aside from eating this cheese as is, it is also commonly served deep fried, on salads, inside of ravioli (instead of ricotta), and occasionally, even in pies.
4. Fenek (Rabbit Stew)
Rabbit stew, or as the locals call it, Stuffat Tal-Fenek, is Malta’s national dish. The rabbit is often served in one of two ways, stewed or fried. When stewed, it is a slow cooking process (over 2 hours) which allows the meat to become incredibly tender & typically fall off the bone. The stew is a rich gravy tomato based sauce and can include a variety of vegetables such as onion, garlic, carrots & potatoes. It is also commonly served with spaghetti or some form of pasta. You can find this dish at almost any Maltese restaurant.
5. Ftira biz-zejt u t-tadam (Maltese bread with olive oil and tomatoes)
Move over Subway! This Maltese ‘sandwich’ is particularly popular during the hot summer months. Round, unleavened Maltese bread known as “ftira” is rubbed with fresh tomatoes (or tomato paste), olive oil and stuffed with a mixture of olives, onions, sun-dried tomatoes and capers. Sometimes canned tuna or gbejniet (goats-milk cheeselets), and bigilla (a traditional paste made from mashed beans) are added too.
Some snacks you should also try out:
Every country has their signature snacks and Malta is no different.
- Twistees: We have twistees at home in Australia but these were different (and preferred!). Plus their only 60c a bag! Rice-based, gluten free, crispy and full of flavour. Not necessarily a healthy grab and go snack, but it’s all about balance ;).
- Galletti: Also known as “water crackers”. These are a thin, hard, brittle cracker served alongside a variety of dips to start your meal or with soups. They’re quite bland alone but they can be found in different flavours to enhance the taste.
- Kinnie: A bitter-sweet, 50g sugar-filled soft drink beverage! Found in any corner store, it’s worth trying at least once.
- Cisk: A traditional Maltese lager beer.
- Ottijiet: A crumbly, buttery, sweet based cookie with sesame seeds, cloves & aniseed. They are shaped in a figure of 8 (hence the name ottijiet, the plural of otto which is 8 in Italian) and are commonly served alongside tea and coffee or with breakfast.
- Kannoli: Originating from Sicily but all throughout Malta, these treats are to die for. Crisp, sweet crunchy tubes filled with sweet ricotta cheese. You can find them plain or flavoured with cocoa, nuts, chocolate, or candied fruits. If you’re going to try it once, make sure it’s from Busy Bees in Msida, Malta.
Travelling Blonde 