Aljotta is a traditional soup that is especially popular during Lent, when meat is forbidden. Fish is the key ingredient used in this soup – head and tail included, and it is usually made with small fish such as rockfish. The fish is combined with fried onions, garlic, water, tomatoes, and flavorings such as mint and bay leaves.
The soup is then strained and rice is added until fully cooked. All that remains is to garnish the soup with parsley and add a squeeze of lemon into it, and aljotta is ready to be consumed.
MOST ICONIC Aljotta
Pulpetti tal-makku is a traditional fish dish originating from Malta, and it's especially popular during the summer. The dish consists of whitebait fritters and it's usually made with a combination of whitebait, eggs, lemon juice, parsley, mint, salt, onions, and garlic.
The whitebait is seasoned with salt and pepper, then mixed with beaten eggs, mint, parsley, and sautéed onions and garlic. The mixture is fried in olive oil on both sides, and the fritters are then served while still hot, often with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Tonn mixwi is a traditional fish dish originating from Malta. The dish is usually made with a combination of tuna steaks, garlic, olive oil, mint, salt, and black pepper. The olive oil is mixed with chopped garlic, salt, pepper, and mint. The steaks are marinated in the mixture for at least one hour and then grilled on both sides on a greased grill.
While the fish is cooking, it's regularly basted with the marinade. Once done, tonn mixwi is typically served with grilled vegetables or fresh green salads on the side.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Pixxispad mixwi is a traditional fish dish originating from Malta. The dish consists of marinated and grilled swordfish fillets. The fillets are usually marinated in a mixture of onions, garlic, oil, mint, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, and paprika.
Once marinated, the fillets are grilled on both sides until they become golden and fully cooked. During the grilling process, the fish is basted with the marinade. Once prepared, the swordfish fillets are garnished with sage and green bell peppers, then served while still hot.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Insalata tal-bakkaljaw is a traditional salt cod salad originating from Malta. The salad is usually made with a combination of salt cod, potatoes, olives, garlic, leeks, pickled onions, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, parsley, balsamic vinegar, bay leaves, lemon, and black pepper.
The cod is rinsed, soaked in water, drained, and lightly simmered with bay leaves in a wide pan. Once cooled, the flesh is flaked with a fork and placed in a bowl. The potatoes are cooked, drained, and added to the cod. The leeks, parsley, and tomatoes are chopped and added to the mixture.
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