Few things suit the Maltese outdoors quite like a picnic. Find a peaceful spot by the coast, beneath the shade of a countryside tree or beside a favourite viewpoint, then open a platter brimming with local flavours.
Known as a platt Malti, the Maltese platter is generous, colourful and wonderfully informal. Every bar, kitchen, and family gives it a slightly different character, but the pleasure is always the same: placing it at the centre of the table and inviting everyone to help themselves. Typical platters bring together local cheeselets, bean dip, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, crackers, sausage, and fresh Maltese bread.
Start with bigilla, a rich and rustic dip traditionally prepared using mashed tic beans, known locally as ful ta’ Ġirba, together with garlic, olive oil and seasoning. Scoop it up with crisp galletti, Malta’s traditional water crackers, or spread it generously over a slice of crusty bread.
Next, add a selection of ġbejniet, the small cheeselets that are among the most distinctive tastes of the Maltese Islands. Try them fresh for a mild, delicate bite, air-dried for a firmer texture, or pickled and peppered for something altogether bolder.
Bring colour to the platter with marinated olives, stuffed olives, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes. A spoonful of kapunata, Malta’s version of caponata, adds a delicious mixture of aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, capers, and olives. For an even heartier spread, include slices of Maltese sausage and a handful of crunchy galletti.
No Maltese platter is complete without thick pieces of fresh ħobż Malti, with its crisp crust and soft centre. It is perfect for dipping, spreading, and gathering every last drop of olive oil from the plate.
Pack everything into a basket, bring along chilled water or soft drinks, and perhaps add a bottle of local wine or a cold Maltese beer. Then all that remains is to choose a beautiful spot, slow down, and share a taste of Malta under the open sky.
