Pastizz
 Two varieties of Maltese pastizzi | |
| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Malta |
| Main ingredients | Phyllo-like dough, ricotta or mushy peas |
| Variations | Cannoli Ricotta Ġbejna Għawdxija Piżelli |
A pastizz (plural pastizzi) is a traditional savoury pastry from Malta. Pastizzi usually have a filling either of ricotta or mushy peas, and are called pastizzi tal-irkotta (cheese cake), "tal haxu", or pastizzi tal-piżelli (pea cake).[1][2] Pastizzi are a popular, traditional and well-known Maltese food.
Preparation
Pastizzi are usually diamond-shaped or round-shaped [3] and made with a pastry very much like the Greek phyllo pastry (although there is also a puff pastry version). The pastry is folded in different ways according to the filling. They are typically baked on metal trays in electric or gas ovens in a pastizzeria, usually a small or family concern. They are also sold in bars, cafes and by street vendors.
Culinary export
Pastizzi are also produced by Maltese immigrant communities in Australia, the US, UK[4] and Canada. The first pastizzeria in Scotland opened in 2007.[3]
Pastizzi in the Maltese language
Such is its popularity, the word "pastizzi" has multiple meanings in Maltese.[5] It is used as a euphemism for the female sexual organ (due to its shape) and for describing someone as an "idiot". The Maltese expression 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.[6][7][8] Things which are jinħarġu bħall-pastizzi (coming out like pastizzi) can be said to be emerging at a fast rate, sometimes too quickly.[9][10] [11]
See also
References
- ^ "#1 Pastizzi.com". Pastizzi. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
- ^ Gaul, Simon (2007). Malta Gozo & Comino. New Holland Publishing. p. 157. ISBN 1-86011-365-6.
- ^ a b Maltese meat pies British Baker, 12 October 2007
- ^ http://parparellu.com/food-menu/
- ^ Fabri, Ray (2009) Maltese linguistics: a snapshot; in memory of Joseph A. Cremona (1922-2003) Bochum: Brockmeyer ISBN 978-3-8196-0734-9 p.44
- ^ "No candle in the wind". The Times of Malta. 21 June 2003.
- ^ http://www.thinksite.eu/pages/tsdart.asp?id=739
- ^ http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=42265
- ^ http://www.illum.com.mt/2009/11/22/feature.html
- ^ http://www.alfredsant.org/pages/dassingle.asp?id=256
- ^ Dibattiti tal-Kamra tad-Deputati (Rapport Uffiċjali u Rivedut): L-Għaxar Parlament, Seduta Nru. 311, It-Tlieta, 1 ta’ Novembru, 2005 (in Maltese). Stampat fl-Uffiċċju ta' l-Iskrivan, Kamra tad-Deputati. Accessed January 2012. "Debates of the House of Representatives ... 1 November 2005"