A ''pastizz'' (: ''pastizzi'') is a traditional savoury

pastry Pastry refers to a variety of Dough, doughs (often enriched with fat or eggs), as well as the sweet and savoury Baking, baked goods made from them. The dough may be accordingly called pastry dough for clarity. Sweetened pastries are often descr ...

from

Malta Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea, between Sicily and North Africa. It consists of an archipelago south of Italy, east of Tunisia, and north of Libya. The two ...

. ''Pastizzi'' usually have a filling either of

ricotta Ricotta () is an Italian whey cheese made from sheep, cow, goat, or Italian water buffalo milk whey left over from the production of other cheeses. Like other whey cheeses, it is made by coagulating the proteins that remain after the casein h ...

(''pastizzi tal-irkotta'' or ''pastizzi tal-ħaxu'' in Maltese) or curried peas ( in Maltese). ''Pastizzi'' are a popular and well-known traditional Maltese food. It should not be confused with the

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

''pastizz'', better known as '' u' pastizz 'rtunnar''.

Preparation

''Pastizzi'' are usually diamond-shaped or round (known as ''pastizzi tax-xema in Maltese) and made with a pastry very much like the Greek filo pastry (although there is also a

puff pastry Puff pastry, also known as , is a light, flaky pastry, its base dough () composed of wheat flour and water. Butter or other solid fat () is then layered into the dough. The dough is repeatedly rolled and folded, rested, re-rolled and folded, encas ...

version). The pastry is folded in different ways according to the filling, as a means of identification. Traditionally, ricotta ''pastizzi'' are folded down the middle, whereas pea ''pastizzi'' are folded down the side. In recent years, alternative ''pastizzi'' fillings have emerged, most notably chicken ''pastizzi'', which can now be found in virtually all Maltese ''pastizzeriji'' alongside the two traditional flavours. Other short-lived or limited edition ''pastizzi'' fillings have included ricotta and truffle, Maltese sausage, and Nutella. ''Pastizzi'' are typically baked on metal trays in electric or gas ovens in a ''pastizzerija'', usually a small or family concern. They are also sold in bars, cafes and by street vendors. They are a popular breakfast in outer villages.

Culinary export

''Pastizzi'' are also produced by Maltese immigrant communities in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US. The first ''pastizzeria'' in Scotland opened in 2007.Maltese meat pies
''British Baker'', 12 October 2007

In the Maltese language

Such is its popularity, the word ''pastizz'' has multiple meanings in Maltese.Fabri, Ray (2009
''Maltese linguistics: a snapshot; in memory of Joseph A. Cremona (1922-2003)''
Bochum: Brockmeyer p.44 It is used as a

euphemism A euphemism ( ) is when an expression that could offend or imply something unpleasant is replaced with one that is agreeable or inoffensive. Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the u ...

for the

vagina In mammals and other animals, the vagina (: vaginas or vaginae) is the elastic, muscular sex organ, reproductive organ of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vulval vestibule to the cervix (neck of the uterus). The #Vag ...

, due to its shape, and for describing someone as a "pushover". The Maltese idiom (selling like ''pastizzi'') is equivalent to the English "selling like hot cakes", to describe a product which seems to have inexhaustible demand. Things which are (coming out like ''pastizzi'') can be said to be emerging at a fast rate, sometimes too quickly.Dibattiti tal-Kamra tad-Deputati (Rapport Uffiċjali u Rivedut): L-Għaxar Parlament, Seduta Nru. 311, It-Tlieta, 1 ta’ Novembru, 2005
(in Maltese). Stampat fl-Uffiċċju ta' l-Iskrivan, Kamra tad-Deputati. Accessed January 2012. "Debates of the House of Representatives ... 1 November 2005"

References

External links

Malta`s official tourism portal - Food and Drink
{{Pastries Maltese cuisine Pastries Cheese pastries Legume dishes National dishes

Preparation

Culinary export

In the Maltese language

See also

References

External links