Traditional Maltese Christmas Food – Festive Flavours and Timeless Recipes
Christmas in Malta is as much about food as it is about celebration. Maltese Christmas cuisine reflects the island’s history, blending Mediterranean flavours with influences from Italy and Britain, all shaped by strong Catholic traditions. Families come together during the holiday season to prepare comforting dishes, sweet treats, and drinks that have been enjoyed for generations.
Qagħaq tal-Għasel: Malta’s Iconic Christmas Sweet
One of the most recognisable Maltese Christmas foods is qagħaq tal-għasel. Despite the name “honey rings,” these pastries are filled with a rich, dark mixture made from treacle, citrus zest, cocoa, and warming spices such as cloves and aniseed. The soft dough is shaped into rings, baked until golden, and traditionally cracked open to reveal the spiced filling.
Qagħaq tal-għasel are commonly shared with family and friends, enjoyed with tea or coffee, and given as homemade Christmas gifts. For many Maltese households, their preparation signals the true start of the festive season.
Imbuljuta tal-Qastan: A Christmas Eve Tradition
Another beloved Christmas tradition is imbuljuta tal-qastan, a thick chestnut and cocoa drink. Traditionally served on Christmas Eve after Midnight Mass, this warming beverage is made by simmering chestnuts with cocoa powder, sugar, citrus peel, and sometimes cloves or bay leaves.
Imbuljuta is deeply nostalgic, often associated with childhood memories and family gatherings. Even today, churches, village squares, and community events sometimes offer free cups of imbuljuta on Christmas Eve, continuing a cherished Maltese custom.
Festive Almond Sweets and Biscuits
Almonds play an important role in Maltese festive baking. Pastini tal-lewż, soft almond biscuits lightly flavoured with citrus, are a Christmas favourite found in many homes during the holiday season. These biscuits are simple yet rich, often made in large batches to share with guests.
Although traditionally linked to Easter, figolli—decorated almond-filled pastries—are also commonly enjoyed throughout the winter festive period. Their colourful icing and symbolic shapes add a joyful element to Christmas tables.
Savoury Dishes on the Christmas Table
Maltese Christmas meals are generous and communal. Many families begin celebrations with platters of local delicacies such as ġbejna (traditional sheep or goat cheeselets), olives, sundried tomatoes, and crusty Maltese bread. Bigilla, a thick broad bean dip, is another popular starter.
Main dishes vary by household, but baked pasta or lasagna is a common feature, often enriched with Maltese sausage and rich sauces. Roast turkey, influenced by British traditions, is also popular, usually served with potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Catholic customs mean that fish is often served on Christmas Eve. Baked or stewed fish dishes, especially when local varieties are available, form part of the evening meal before Midnight Mass.
A Celebration of Family and Flavour
Maltese Christmas food is not about excess or extravagance, but about comfort, tradition, and family. Recipes are passed down through generations, shared among relatives, and prepared together in kitchens filled with festive aromas.
Whether enjoying the spiced sweetness of qagħaq tal-għasel, sipping warm imbuljuta under the winter night sky, or gathering around a table of home-cooked dishes, Christmas in Malta is a celebration of togetherness and timeless flavour.
