Winter Food and Recipes

In winter most of the Maltese people like to eat a lot of soups like vegetable soup, tomato soup, pork and vegetable soup, fish and garlic soup and widow’s soup.

Vegetable Soup-In spite of the similarity of name, this soup is unlike
the Italian minestrone, in that it is thicker, richer and
much more filling.

Pork and Vegetable Soup- This soup (almost a stew) is made in the
same way as the vegetable soup, but with
the addition of a large piece of pork meat.

Fish and Garlic Soup- Although this is a fish soup, it takes its name
from the Italian ‘aglio’ (garlic) which is its second
main ingredient. It is a must for garlic lovers and
one of the best soups on the Maltese menu.

More winter foods which this time are not soups are: stewed meat, kusksu, stuffed artichokes, broad bean casserole and bigilla.

Kusksu- It is a variety of pasta (looks rather like small beads) and the
reason for its name which is probably derived from couscous, is
that the pasta resembles a very coarse couscous but that is
where the resemblance ends.

Bigilla- ‘Bigilla’ is a typical country dish. This ‘Bigilla’ seller is a familiar
comforting figure in village streets on cold winter nights.


‘Bigilla’ Recipe

Ingredients
14 oz dried broad beans
Salt and Pepper
1 whole head of garlic
1 chilli pepper
1 tablespoon of mixed herbs(marjoram and mint)

Serves 4

Method
Soak the beans overnight in water. When ready to start cooking replace the water. Bring to the boil with salt to taste. If the beans look very dry it is advisable to add a tiny pinch of bicarbonate of soda. Allow to simmer until beans are tender and the water has evaporated. The time will depend on the age of beans. Have some boiling water handy to add, if necessary. Mash the beans roughly and turn into a serving dish. Pour a tablespoon or 2 of oil on top. The other ingredients are added to taste. The garlic should be crushed and the pepper and herbs finely chopped. A little felfel is a good addition.


Winter Festivals

On the 4th of February there is going to be the Malta Song for Europe which is the great event or show in Malta were most of the Maltese population look forward to watch it. Every year loads of singers participate in this Eurovision. The Maltese people have to vote by the televoting forwhich song they prefer. The winner will represent Malta in that place where the last country won the Eurovision. Until now Malta has never won the Eurovision, but we have achieved great results by placing twice second and third.

Carnival is another festival that the Maltese people especially teenagers and children like. The dancers and those who design the carnival wagons prepare for months before the Carnival begins. Lots of young children dress up like their favorite cartoon character eg Spiderman, Mickey Mouse, batman, Zorro etc. On the other hand the teenagers will dress up in a different way like babies, punks, angels, schoolgirls/boys, boys dressing up like women’s etc. We have also Carnival sweets like the sugared – almonds and the pine nut gateau.

Winter Activities

During the winter most of the teenagers, on the weekends like to go out to the cinema to watch their favorite movie instead of going outside. Others like to watch a DVD at home and spending the time watching the DVD with their family or friends, especially when it is raining. On Sundays most of the family will go for a hike and spend their time relaxing, playing together, eating, go for a walk in the countryside. Most of the couples will either go with their family or on their own for dinner in most of the Maltese restaurants.