Big fish 7 letters. Maltese cuisine

Maltese cuisine is the result of a bizarre mixture cultural heritage local people with the customs of many peoples who visited Malta as merchants or conquerors. Maltese dishes are heavily influenced by Italian, Spanish, Moorish and Greek cuisine, as well as English and French culinary traditions.

The best place to enjoy authentic Maltese cuisine is in small family-run taverns, where they cook according to grandmother's recipes and serve food in rough earthenware dishes, such as those used by local fishermen and peasants centuries ago.

Features of Maltese cuisine

Maltese cuisine can be called the quintessence of cuisines throughout the Mediterranean. Simple peasant dishes predominate here, prepared from cereals growing here, seasonal vegetables, fruits, berries, olive oil and dairy products.

Considering that fishing has been one of the main occupations for the people of Malta since ancient times, it is also impossible to imagine local cuisine without fresh fish and seafood, which Maltese fishermen abundantly supply local markets with.

One of characteristic features Maltese cuisine is dominated by stewed and baked dishes. This is due to the fact that in the old days Maltese peasants cooked food mainly in clay pots on small stone hearths, and in order to waste less scarce firewood, the process happened very slowly.

Maltese alcoholic drinks

The most popular drink that accompanies almost every Maltese meal is a glass or two of local red wine. Here you can meet the most different variations This alcoholic drink ranges from the homemade wine served in Maltese taverns to vintage varieties that have earned recognition at international competitions around the world.

The signature Maltese dish is fennec rabbit (can be whole or stew), it is cooked over an open fire with the addition of special seasonings and soaked in a special way in Maltese wine. An incredibly tasty delicacy. The cost depends on the location of the restaurant, on average from 25 to 50 euros. It is especially deliciously prepared on the island of Gozo.
Bragioli - roast beef. Made from minced meat, eggs, bread and herbs. All this is rolled up and fried. Delicious.
Malta is also famous for its excellent chicken dishes. It is prepared here with vegetables - cauliflower, spinach and chestnuts or in a wine sauce or with cumin potatoes.

Seafood

As you know, Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, of course, there is a huge amount of all kinds of seafood here. Some types of fish are available at any time, others only seasonally, during migrations. The traditional Maltese fish, lampuka, tastes like tuna. They make a wonderful meal out of it here. fish pie. You can try swordfish, also delicious, served with herbs and lemon.
Of course, these are favorite dishes of Maltese cuisine.

Cooked octopuses are held in special esteem in different ways. It is stuffed and simply boiled, and then served with sauce and stewed. The national dish is carnit mimli - octopus stuffed with spaghetti. Perhaps you'll dare try it. A serving costs about 30 euros.
Babbouche is a cold snail stew served with garlic and spice sauce.

Bakery

The traditional Maltese ricotta pies (a type of soft cheese) or the fried date pies are definitely worth trying.
Maltese national dish is a cauliflower pie with sheep's cheese. The taste is peculiar.
Many Maltese love spinach pies; as for tourists, not everyone can eat these exotic dishes. Especially a lot different types Herb pies are sold in Valletta. The cost is approximately 0.5-1 euro per pie. The taste is very unusual.
Unforgettable crispy Maltese bread khobza is baked in the oven. Very tasty. Before each dish, it is served on the table, always accompanied by Maltese pate, which is prepared from tomatoes, olives, garlic, tuna meat or anchovies with mint and basil. This dish is called khobz biz zate. This Maltese sandwich ranks first in popularity and stands in the honorable ranks of Maltese cuisine. Hobz is a must try.

There are also pastitsi in Malta - puff bread stuffed with green peas, but it is not as popular as hobz biz zate.

Soups

Of the soups in Malta, only two are eaten, and then only in winter time, which is not surprising given the hot climate of this area. Italian soup vegetable minestrone (prepared without potatoes) served with jbeinite (goat or sheep cheese from Gozo).
Another type of soup is called kuksu - bean soup with onion puree.

Vegetables

Stewed vegetables deserve special attention. Stewed zucchini stuffed with various fillings or zucchini stuffed with seafood are an integral part of Maltese cuisine. The cost of stewed vegetables is from 1 to 3 liras.
Beverages

Beverages

Malta's best-selling drink, kinny, is a carbonated soft drink made from... sour oranges and twelve types of local herbs. Tastes like cola. Sold everywhere in tin cans or bottles, the cost in supermarkets is 0.4 lira, in cafes - 4 euros. Moreover, empty containers can be returned at the supermarket.

Beer

The Maltese beer Kisk is brewed in Malta. Not very popular among tourists, as well as among the Maltese themselves.

Wine

One of best views Wines in Malta are recognized as “Citadel” (red) or “Gozo Country White” (white from the island of Gozo). The cost starts from 7 euros, in small shops you can bargain for a smaller amount.
When going to try the delights of Maltese cuisine in a cafe, do not forget that during the siesta (afternoon rest from 13-00 to 16-00) service in many cafes is extremely slow, some establishments close completely, only to open again after 16-00, when it subsides heat.
Bon appetit!