Please note: this prize draw is now closed.
This month our partner at Visit Malta is sponsoring our Cook Club, with the chance to win a copy of recipe book Maltese Traditional Recipes by Joseph Vella. You can also try out the recipe below for delicious pastizzi, puff pastry snacks traditionally filled with ricotta or curried peas.
Malta
Malta has long been a favourite with British travellers and Queen Elixabeth II was Queen of Malta until it became a republic in 1974. The links between our two countries are strong and historic, which can be seen on the islands today. However, Maltese food has retained its own identity: it’s Mediterranean with a twist from the East and North Africa. Abundant seafood in the coastal waters makes its way onto the generously portioned plates!
Visitors enjoy the pleasant climate with an early spring and a long autumn, as well as the fascinating historic buildings, many of which are part of everyday life today. The honey coloured cittadella in Rabat (Victoria), the capital on Gozo dates back to the Bronze Age, with additions made through the centuries. Malta itself has made had something of a make-over in the last ten years, with Valletta now showing off its remarkable heritage to spectacular effect.
For a taste of Malta here at home, try this recipe for pastizzi:
Recipe: Pastizzi
Ingredients:
Pastry:
- 14 oz flour
- Water
- A pinch of salt
- 2 oz soft shortening
- 2 oz margarine
Or you could cheat a little and use phyllo (filo) pastry from the shops!
Filling:
- 14 oz ricotta
- 4 eggs
- A pinch of salt
- Pepper
Method:
- Put the flour in a mixing bowl, add enough water to make a stiff dough. Beat (in electric mixer) on medium speed until smooth. If the pastry is at all sticky add more flour.
- Roll the pastry out 1/8″ thick on a floured board, spread the shortening over the whole surface, using your hands. Roll up as for a Swiss roll. Now roll the pastry out again – spread it this time with margarine. When ready for use, roll it out for the third time.
- Make the filling. Mash the ricotta with a fork, add the salt and the unbeaten eggs.
- Using a 10cm (4-inch) circular cutter gently press out circles of your pastry. Working one circle at a time, spoon about a tablespoon of your ricotta filling into the centre of the circle. Then, gently fold the pastry in half and pinch the ends together, flattening the base on your work surface. Transfer the pastizzi to a parchment-lined baking sheet before putting the oven.
- Bake in a hot oven 220C for 20 minutes or until risen and golden brown.
How to win a copy of Maltese Traditional Recipes by Joseph Vella
Comment below to tell us why you would like to visit Malta, or if you’re lucky enough to have already been, what was the highlight of your visit.
A winner will be chosen at random in early December 2023.
The competition closes on 30 November 2023.
76 Responses
Sampling the food and the weather would be amazing x
We lived in Malta in the 60’s and l had my first child at the RN Hospital there. The people we met over the 3 years were so kind and so helpful. We have been back a few times but would love to go back again to find the small shop on Sliema water front that used to sell little pasties that were filled with mushy peas they were so delicious. I would love to find the recipe..maybe in this book?
A visit to Malta for, sadly, only a couple of days for work was just not enough to sample the delights of the old world charm of Valletta. It is definitely on the bucket list for another visit, this time to really visit the town and get to see the rest of the island.
The highlight of my trip was my late father learning the word “manjana” and using it for everything and on everyone from then on. The idea of everything being “later/tomorrow” tickled him as at home life was rush rush rush!
Wonderful climate, and inviting beaches, with a mixture of diverse cultures and history throughout the island…I must go to this Mediterranean gem!
Malta is on the list of places in the Wed that I have yet to see !!
When visiting some years ago had a wonderful boat trip around the harbour, best place to see Malta.
Would love to visit again, rather than a short cruise visit for a day.
Would love to visit Malta again after 42 years, I am sure it is much changed so would love to see it again, thank you
Enjoyed a trip to Malta & visited Gozo island too. stayed in Selima ( close to St Julians ). Bustling vibe and got to Valetta and the scenes therein. Lots of history relating to WWII . Maltese Cross et al.
Love to go as my Father was there at the start of World War 2
Malta has a fascinating history.
Malta was a super place when we visited 35 years ago. Would love to see more and how it has altered.
Malta is on my bucket list to visit as it is so full of history in a warm climate
Would love to visit. It’s an island full of history with an added splash of mystery. Mahy get there one day !!
I’ve always wanted to go to the Mdina Old City Fortress, hopefully I can!
It’s right in the middle of the Mediterranean, sunny, spectacular scenery, amazing food.
Sitting by the great illuminated fountain in Valetta at night. Beautiful clear night sky and pleasantly warm. The most beautiful city of Valetta.
Valleta the capital fabulous place
I’m interested in the history of the Knights of St John or Knights Hospitaller and would like to see some of their architecture that survives in Malta – churches, hostels, hospital, theatre, watch towers etc. I understand that there are many historic buildings in the Maltese islands so seeing some of them would be wonderful.
The history is fascinating
We visited in February and were lucky enough to see the carnival with the huge floats on lorries. Spectacular
weather, people, English
BECAUSE IS A PLACE IN MY BUCKET LIST
would love to try the recipes, thank you
Our son-in -law is Maltese and his descriptions make it sound so interesting that we must go soon.
Would love to visit Malta as my father was there as a child during part of WW2and always talked fondly of it. Would also like to see the Cathedral where my grandfather did some of the repair work to the carvings after the war.
Malta is somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for several years. Now recovering from cancer I’d love to go there next year. The food looks amazing.
I’m fortunate enough to have been to visit Malta three times. Hard to pick a highlight as it is such a fascinating place but for me it was the old buses (now sadly – though sensibly in terms of air quality and safety! – mostly gone)
My first flying visit (it was a port call on a cruise) to Malta was over 50 years ago & it’s been a few years since my last trip, staying in St Georges Bay & driving all over the island. I think my favourite place was Mdina, followed by Valletta, especially the cathedral.
Because I have been told that it is beautiful and I have met very warm and charming Maltese people!
We have visited Malta several times and the highlight of our last visit for my husband was the biggest and tastiest rack of ribs he had ever eaten at one of the waterfront restaurants!
Malta is the setting of one of my favourite books – The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett. I’d love to see the places and learn about the history
We spent our honeymoon in Malta, 45 years ago. It’s a beautiful country.
Never visited and always looks stunning
Went to Malta the day I finished my A levels with my mum. She is awesome and 88 this month. And my memories of a fleeting romance with a handsome local still linger. Malta has a warm and special place in my heart. Especially St Peter’s Pool! Note to self – go back again very soon!
I hear lots about the walking, the coastline and the food so that scores top marks for me.
Never been but strikes me as a place where someone of my age can relax and chill while sampling its heritage, good food and maybe a tipple, or two.
I visited Malta about 7 years ago and I just loved the beauty of the place, as well as the friendliness of the amazing Maltese people.
I liked walking around the old town in Valetta.
I would love to return to Malta after more than twenty years. I loved Gozo and Comino. Lovely walks amongst history.
There is so much I would like to see on Malta with it’s fascinating history but definitely the highlight for me would be a visit to the blue grotto, it looks so beautiful, a natural wonder.
Never been but always loved the look and feel I have seen on Tv such as when the Queen (Elizabeth) went there.
A visit to Popeye’s village was the highlight of my visit with its collection of rustic and ramshackle buildings. Authentic and lots of fun.
Would like to see capital vaketta and visit churches and see different culture country in med
Only ever visited Malta [Valetta] as a day trip from a cruise. I was excited to explore the city as there are so many different things to see, but it would be even better to visit other parts of the island and taste the local food and drink. In addition, it would not matter what time of year you visited as the weather is good all year round.
I’ve never been to Malta but would like to and experience all the history of the island as well as Maltese cooking.
To get a sense of the great historical events that have occurred there
Always happy to return to Malta.
Getting the bus to Mdina and entering this exotic world , wandering the little streets ,where time seems to have stood still. Loved the island
Love to visit Malta due to links to this country, its history and wonderful blue sea.
What is there not to like about Malta? With lovely people ,food and mild weather?
I have never had a bad time when I have been lucky enough to be there.
Andy from Plymouth
Malta looks so clean and fresh. Lots of family have been and enjoyed themselves. Lots of Maltese friends. It would be a great place to visit.
I would love to visit Valletta harbour and wander through the honeycomb streets of the silent city Mdina. I have never been but would love to visit as so much to see and do.
I always wanted to visit to see some of the old buildings and learn more about Malta’s fascinating history – though I now have an additional reason to visit, a pastizzi and a nice cup of coffee outside a cafe whilst taking in the light on the honey-coloured buildings.
The highlight of our visit to Malta was an evening in the Mdina; after the hustle and bustle of Valetta and Sliema in the daytime walking through the archway into “the silent city” was magical. The architecture is stunning and ambling along the little narrow traffic free streets to the restaurant Fontanella and sitting at a table adjacent to the city walls on a walm evening watching the sun set was wonderful. It was so so peaceful, looking down and across so much of the
island, working out which group of twinkling lights indicated which village. Now in our mid 70s it would be so nice to revisit Malta; the little island of which we have so many happy memories.
Love to take my wife to her see her uncles old home.
Be lovely to catch up with someone I met at a conference in southern France many years ago.
I have never visited. I would like to visit because it looks very beautiful.
Why would I like to visit Malta.
The climate.
The idea of walking and exploring among its ancient ruins in a past civilisation is what inpures me
I believe Malta is a bit of a marmite experience, you either love or dislike.
As a marmite lover, I have always wanted to visit Malta, unfortunately it is still on my bucket list, one day!
so much culture and history wrapped up in gastronomic delights in the sunshine, what’s not to like. oh, and its on our bucket list as it was one of my foster mom’s favourite places in the world, and now she’s gone we have to go!
Would love to revisit Malta and explore more of its history.
Going next year to Valletta – already booked!
Our honeymoon was in Malta over 35 years ago- would love to visit again.
I last visited Malta in the early 1980s and I have very fond memories of my trip. I would love to return and revisit the places I visited
I love Malta with friends and families always to visit and beautiful Valletta and the incredulous bakery Cafe Cordina – can’t wait to return for a Cannoli.
My first and only visit to Malta was for a conference, too short to do or see much. I would love to visit again.
It looks a grtea book
To visit an island steeped in history, ancient and modern, with a warm friendly people and stunning blue sea. Fabulous!
Wonderful cheese pasty’s
Can’t wait to eat them in Malta again
Malta is on my list of places to visit. I want to see Valletta and relax. I hear it is beautiful and relaxing. Great food and lovely views. I’m saving up!
I went to school with a girl who always went to Malta on holiday. This was before package travel was the norm. We were all so fed up with her continually talking about it that none of us wanted to go to the island. After 50 years I would really like to visit Malta to experience it for myself as it doesn’t seem to have changed as much as other holiday places.
Having just returned from three weeks in Malta and Gozo, there are so many highlights from having an afternoon tea style breakfast in a boutique hotel in Valetta, to the fabulous weather. However, if I could only pick one, it would be staying in Gozo for five nights which most people ‘do’ in a day. This gave us plenty of time to hike and enjoy the more relaxed pace of life.
There are so many woinderful places to visit oin Malta, but the highlight must be the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum – a trip into the bowls of the earth into a 4000-5000 year old underground temple that later became a cemetery. It is a mind blowing experience.
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