Pastizz
{{Short description|Savoury pastry from Malta}}
{{Distinguish|U' pastizzi 'rtunnar}}
{{Italics title}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Pastizzi
| image = Malta Pastizzi.JPG
| image_size =
| caption = Two varieties of Maltese pastizzi
| alternate_name =
| country = Malta
| region =
| creator =
| course =
| type = Savoury pastry
| served =
| main_ingredient = Filo-like pastry, ricotta or mushy peas
| variations =
}}
A pastizz ({{plural form}}: 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 ({{Lang|mt|pastizzi tal-piżelli}} in Maltese).{{cite web
| title = #1 Pastizzi.com
| publisher = Pastizzi
| url = http://www.pastizzi.com
| access-date = 2010-01-21 }}{{cite book|last=Gaul|first=Simon|title=Malta Gozo & Comino|publisher=New Holland Publishing|year=2007|page=157|isbn=978-1-86011-365-9}} 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.{{cite web |title=All you need to know about pastizzi: Malta's favourite street food |url=https://www.guidememalta.com/en/all-you-need-to-know-about-pastizzi-malta-s-favourite-street-food |website=www.guidememalta.com |date=27 June 2020 |language=en}} 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.{{cite web |title=These Maltese Eateries Serve The Craziest Types Of Pastizzi Around |url=https://lovinmalta.com/food/these-maltese-places-serve-the-craziest-types-of-pastizzi/ | website=www.lovinmalta.com|date=27 January 2018 }}
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.{{Cn|date=February 2025}}
Culinary export
Pastizzi are also produced by Maltese immigrant communities in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US.{{cite web |url=http://parparellu.com/food-menu/ |title=Cafe' Menu - Parparellu |access-date=2015-12-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208152752/http://parparellu.com/food-menu/ |archive-date=2015-12-08 }} The first pastizzeria in Scotland opened in 2007.[http://www.bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2653/Maltese_meat_pies.html Maltese meat pies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728093933/http://www.bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2653/Maltese_meat_pies.html |date=2011-07-28 }} British Baker, 12 October 2007
In the Maltese language
Such is its popularity, the word pastizz has multiple meanings in Maltese.Fabri, Ray (2009) [https://books.google.com/books?id=Zy4ykxfU78YC Maltese linguistics: a snapshot; in memory of Joseph A. Cremona (1922-2003)] Bochum: Brockmeyer {{ISBN|978-3-8196-0734-9}} p.44 It is used as a euphemism for the vagina, due to its shape, and for describing someone as a "pushover". The Maltese idiom {{lang|mt|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.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20030621/opinion/editorial|title=No candle in the wind|work=The Times of Malta|date=21 June 2003}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thinksite.eu/pages/tsdart.asp?id=739|title=ThinkSite.eu|website=Thinksite.eu|access-date=16 September 2017|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204094617/http://www.thinksite.eu/pages/tsdart.asp?id=739|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid%3D42265 |title=INDEPENDENT online |access-date=2012-01-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604014519/http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=42265 |archive-date=2012-06-04 }} Things which are {{Lang|mt|jinħarġu bħall-pastizzi}} (coming out like pastizzi) can be said to be emerging at a fast rate, sometimes too quickly.{{cite web|url=http://www.illum.com.mt/2009/11/22/feature.html |title=ILLUM |access-date=2012-01-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513075412/http://www.illum.com.mt/2009/11/22/feature.html |archive-date=2012-05-13 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.alfredsant.org/pages/dassingle.asp?id=256 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-01-01 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426084327/http://www.alfredsant.org/pages/dassingle.asp?id=256 |archive-date=2012-04-26 }}[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] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224083826/http://parlament.mt/file.aspx?f=1083 |date=2013-12-24 }} (in Maltese). Stampat fl-Uffiċċju ta' l-Iskrivan, Kamra tad-Deputati. Accessed January 2012. "Debates of the House of Representatives ... 1 November 2005"
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://visitmalta.com/food-and-drink Malta`s official tourism portal - Food and Drink]
{{Cheese dishes}}
{{Pastries}}