 Two varieties of Maltesepastizzi | |
| Type | Savoury pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Malta |
| Main ingredients | Filo-like pastry,ricotta ormushy peas |
Apastizz (pl.:pastizzi) is a traditional savourypastry fromMalta.Pastizzi usually have a filling either ofricotta (pastizzi tal-irkotta orpastizzi tal-ħaxu inMaltese) or curried peas (pastizzi tal-piżelli in Maltese).[1][2]Pastizzi are a popular and well-known traditionalMaltese food. It should not be confused with theItalianpastizz, better known asu' pastizz 'rtunnar.
Pastizzi are usually diamond-shaped or round[3] (known aspastizzi tax-xema' in Maltese) and made with a pastry very much like the Greekfilo pastry (although there is also apuff pastry version). The pastry is folded in different ways according to the filling, as a means of identification. Traditionally, ricottapastizzi are folded down the middle, whereas peapastizzi are folded down the side.[4] In recent years, alternativepastizzi fillings have emerged, most notably chickenpastizzi, which can now be found in virtually all Maltesepastizzeriji alongside the two traditional flavours. Other short-lived or limited editionpastizzi fillings have included ricotta and truffle, Maltese sausage, and Nutella.[5]
Pastizzi are typically baked on metal trays in electric or gas ovens in apastizzerija, 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.[citation needed]
Pastizzi are also produced by Maltese immigrant communities in Australia, Canada, the UK, the US and most recently Rome.[6][7] The firstpastizzeria in Scotland opened in 2007.[3]
Such is its popularity, the wordpastizz has multiple meanings in Maltese.[8] It is used as aeuphemism for thevagina, due to its shape, and for describing someone as a "pushover". The Maltese idiomjinbiegħu bħall-pastizzi (selling likepastizzi) is equivalent to the English "selling like hot cakes", to describe a product which seems to have inexhaustible demand.[9][10][11] Things which arejinħarġu bħall-pastizzi (coming out likepastizzi) can be said to be emerging at a fast rate, sometimes too quickly.[12][13][14]
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