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If you’ve been to Malta and not tried a pastizzi, slap yourself and go again. Pastizzi are Malta’s most popular snack and widely considered to be one of the island’s finest culinary achievements. Most of all they have also come to represent an intrinsic part of the Maltese culture to the extent that outside of Malta, no Maltese community or festival worth its salt would be missing a few pastizzi outlets. Indeed Malta has no shortage of such outlets with pastizzerias being an omnipresent feature in many Maltese streets.
Essentially pastizzi are hot pastries filled with either ricotta cheese or peas. The pastry itself is a complicated affair, formed of multiple sheets of transparently thin and crunchy layers. The delicate pastry also possesses a flaky quality, making the consumption of a pastizzi an exercise that may require some expertise.
Pastizzi are enjoyed by Maltese people from all social backgrounds with a variety of puff-pastry versions being sold at more up-market venues. Some of the best times to enjoy pastizzi are on a Sunday morning at a village square as you watch the villagers going to church, or at about 4am after a hard night’s clubbing. If your taste buds are functioning properly at this time, you’ll be able to appreciate pastizzi at their steaming freshest.
Apart from pastizzi, pastizzerias also typically sell qassatat, another popular Maltese snack, as well as sausage rolls, and pizza squares. As with all fast food, pastizzi need to be eaten in moderation but you cannot say that you’ve truly been to Malta if you haven’t wolfed down a few.
A word of caution though; in Malta the word ‘pastizzi’ can also be used as an insult. Therefore be sure that when buying one you ask for it properly as opposed to merely shouting it out at the vendor.
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Sant Lucia Café. This Attard-based coffee shop is home to some of Malta’s most delicious, freshly made pastizzi served in lovely surroundings. For more information call (+356) 2141 7894 or visit www.santaluciacafe.com
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