FOODIE FRIDAY

This is about that time that we all start think about what Christmas food to indulge in during our festive celebrations. Indeed, there is no better way to spread the festive cheer than by enjoying some typical Christmas recipes, and in particular, delicious Christmas sweets!

Malta has a variety of traditional Christmas recipes that are enjoyed year after year by all the family. If you’re in Malta, you should find a local confectionary and indulge some of these mouth-watering desserts!

TRADITIONAL MALTESE CHRISTMAS SWEETS

Christmas Log

The Christmas log is not unique to Malta in the Christmas food repertoire, and can be found in other countries in continental Europe, where it is typically made out of a plain sponge cake, that is then covered in chocolate.

The Maltese Christmas log, however, is more delectable! It is made with a delicious mix of ingredients, including crushed biscuits, dried cherries, nuts and liqueur, which are bonded together by condensed milk, and then covered in melted chocolate, to look like a log. An absolutely delicious Christmas sweet!

[Photo Credit: The Sweet Balance]

Honey Ring

The honey ring, known as ‘Qagħaq tal-għasel’ in Maltese, is a very old local sweet, which dates back to the 15th century. Although it is available at other times of the year, it is also widely associated and enjoyed as part of the Maltese Christmas menu.

These sweet pastry rings are filled with a treacle mixture, consisting of marmalade, sugar, lemon, orange, mixed spices, cinnamon, vanilla and syrup. There is actually no honey used in this delicious Christmas sweet!

This recipe, which has been passed on from generation to generation, is also mentioned in one of the oldest Maltese Christmas carols, ‘Ninu, Ninu tal-Milied’.

Typically enjoyed with a cup of tea, they also go down a treat with a glass of mulled wine!

[Photo Credit: amaltesemouthful]

Hot Chestnut and Cocoa Soup

Traditionally served after Midnight Mass on Christmas eve, the ‘Imbuljuta tal-Qastan’ is a dense Maltese-style ‘hot chocolate’, which is enjoyed more like a hot drink than a soup, notwithstanding the common translation of its name!

This wonderful ‘Christmas in a cup’ is made primarily out of chestnuts, which are soaked at length and then boiled, together with cloves, cinnamon and citrus rinds.

This is definitely a firm favourite in the Christmas food repertoire, and for the adults who are allowed Christmas tipple, we also love to add a splash of whiskey, rum or Bailey’s liquor to the recipe!

[Photo Credit: omgfoodmalta]

Mince Pies

The Maltese culinary kaleidoscope has been widely influenced by many cultures that have in some way or another connected with the Maltese Islands. None the less in the sphere of Christmas sweets! The now ubiquitous mince pie is a British influence, and a firm favourite in the Maltese Christmas sweets repertoire.

Typically filled with dried fruit and spices, these delicious Christmas sweets are best enjoyed with a cup of tea, of course!

[Photo Credit: notonthehighstreet]

Panettone

Another Christmas sweet that has become a firm favourite with the Maltese, is the Italian Panettone. This towering round of sweet bread is said to date back to the Renaissance, when it was already a Christmas delicacy.

It is typically speckled with raisins and citrus, and has a plush, buttery texture. However, it can now be found in several variations, including creamy fillings and almonds.

Share your delicious photos of your tried and tasted traditional Maltese Christmas sweets with us on Instagram using @heritagecollectionproperties let's celebrate our rich culinary heritage together!