Pastizz Explained

Pastizz
Country:Malta
Type:Savoury pastry
Main Ingredient:Filo-like pastry, ricotta or mushy peas

A pastizz (: pastizzi) is a traditional savoury pastry from Malta. Pastizzi usually have a filling either of ricotta (pastizzi tal-irkotta or pastizzi tal-ħaxu in Maltese) or curried peas (in Maltese).[1] [2] Pastizzi are a popular and well-known traditional Maltese food. It should not be confused with the Italian 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 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.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5] The first pastizzeria in Scotland opened in 2007.[6]

In the Maltese language

Such is its popularity, the word pastizz has multiple meanings in Maltese.[7] It is used as a euphemism for the vagina, due to its shape, and for describing someone as a "pushover". The Maltese idiom Maltese: jinbiegħu bħall-pastizzi (selling like pastizzi) is equivalent to the English "selling like hot cakes", to describe a product which seems to have inexhaustible demand.[8] [9] [10] Things which are (coming out like pastizzi) can be said to be emerging at a fast rate, sometimes too quickly.[11] [12] [13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: #1 Pastizzi.com . Pastizzi . 2010-01-21 .
  2. Book: Gaul, Simon. Malta Gozo & Comino. New Holland Publishing. 2007. 157. 978-1-86011-365-9.
  3. Web site: All you need to know about pastizzi: Malta's favourite street food . www.guidememalta.com . 27 June 2020 . en.
  4. Web site: These Maltese Eateries Serve The Craziest Types Of Pastizzi Around . www.lovinmalta.com. 27 January 2018 .
  5. Web site: Cafe' Menu - Parparellu . 2015-12-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152752/http://parparellu.com/food-menu/ . 2015-12-08 .
  6. http://www.bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2653/Maltese_meat_pies.html Maltese meat pies
  7. Fabri, Ray (2009) Maltese linguistics: a snapshot; in memory of Joseph A. Cremona (1922-2003) Bochum: Brockmeyer p.44
  8. News: No candle in the wind. The Times of Malta. 21 June 2003.
  9. Web site: ThinkSite.eu. Thinksite.eu. 16 September 2017. 4 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204094617/http://www.thinksite.eu/pages/tsdart.asp?id=739. dead.
  10. Web site: INDEPENDENT online . 2012-01-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120604014519/http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=42265 . 2012-06-04 .
  11. Web site: ILLUM . 2012-01-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120513075412/http://www.illum.com.mt/2009/11/22/feature.html . 2012-05-13 .
  12. Web site: Archived copy . 2012-01-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120426084327/http://www.alfredsant.org/pages/dassingle.asp?id=256 . 2012-04-26 .
  13. http://parlament.mt/file.aspx?f=1083 Dibattiti tal-Kamra tad-Deputati (Rapport Uffiċjali u Rivedut): L-Għaxar Parlament, Seduta Nru. 311, It-Tlieta, 1 ta’ Novembru, 2005