Where to buy Maltese traditional foods
Malta’s Mediterranean climate has blessed the island with sumptuous seasonal produce, while our Arabic and Italian roots have given birth to a number of sweet and savoury delicacies that boast unique – and very moreish! – flavours. Where to find the best Maltese traditional foods to indulge in? The answers may surprise you.
Artisan fairs
Come Sunday, you’ll find a number of artisan fairs taking place in different locations around The Maltese Islands. Here, you’ll find independent artists and creatives showcasing jewellery, upcycled clothes, giftware and a variety of Maltese traditional foods. Look out for cake stands featuring the iconic coconut slices, pastini tar-raħal (village biscuits) and biskuttini tal-lewż (almond biscuits). These are always homemade and freshly baked, so you’re in for a treat.
Farmers’ markets
The weekends are also for dropping in at one of the farmers’ markets, the largest one being the one in Ta’ Qali. There are also other markets in Mġarr, Marsaxlokk and other villages, but these tend to be smaller. Here, you’ll find all the Maltese traditional foods you can yearn for, from the readily-cooked to the base ingredients or even the frozen stuff to take home and use at leisure. The variety on offer in Ta’ Qali is mind-boggling, and you can buy freshly baked ross il-forn (baked rice), pickled olives and capers, and seasonal produce transformed into luscious dishes or desserts.
Village festas
Even the most recent expats to Malta will be familiar with the summer village feasts, known locally as il-festa tar-raħal. These started off as religious celebrations in honour of patron saints, but nowadays they’re part of secular culture as entire towns converge for a massive street party of music, fireworks and – of course – traditional delicacies. You’ll find stalls selling Maltese pastizzi (pastries with a ricotta or mush pea filling), qassatat (the cousins of the pastizzi, but larger) and the beloved qubbajd. The latter is a nougat-like sweet paste that comes in different flavours. Be warned, it’s addictive!
Roadside stalls
This may sound like a weird one, but hear us out. If you happen to be driving alongside one of Malta’s roads and you spot a tiny stand selling imqaret, don’t pass up the opportunity. Cheap and very cheerful, imqaret consist of a sweet, fried pastry filled with a date paste and served piping hot. It’s a literal taste of heaven. You’ll find a permanent imqaret stand at the entrance to Valletta, while mobile kiosks pop up regularly on main thoroughfares in central towns like Birkirkara.
