Easter time in Malta is not complete without the traditional treat of Figolli. This sweet pastry, made with a delicious dough and filled with a sweet almond filling, has been a staple of Maltese cuisine for centuries.
Figolla (singular) has its roots in the Arabic word for almond, “luqum,” which was brought to Malta by the Arabs during their occupation in the 9th century. Over time, the Maltese people adapted the recipe and made it their own, creating the Figolla we know and love today.
Traditionally, Figolli are made and enjoyed during the Easter season as a sweet treat to celebrate the end of Lent. The pastries are often shaped into the form of a fish, which is a symbol of Christianity and the resurrection of Jesus.
The making of Figolla is a true labor of love, and is often passed down from generation to generation. It’s not just a recipe, it’s a tradition and a cultural experience. Families gather to make it together and share it with friends and loved ones. The process of making Figolla is quite intricate, it starts with the kneading of the dough, then rolling it out, cutting it into shape, filling it with the almond paste and then baking it to perfection.
Figolla also plays an important role in Maltese Easter celebrations, it is given as a gift to friends and family as a symbol of love and friendship. It is also a common sight at Maltese Easter fairs and markets, where locals and tourists alike can purchase and enjoy the sweet treat.
One of the best places to try Figolla is in the village of Hal Safi, where the locals are renowned for their traditional recipe and high-quality ingredients. Visitors can also try different variations of Figolla such as chocolate-covered figolla, figolla with orange zest and even figolla stuffed with a variety of fillings like hazelnut or pistachio.
If you’re ever in Malta during Easter time, be sure to try a Figolla and experience the sweet taste of Maltese tradition. It’s a unique and delicious way to learn about Maltese culture and history. Not only will you enjoy the taste, but you will also be part of a tradition that has been passed down for centuries.
Figolli
(13 votes, average: 3.69 out of 5)
Loading…Ingredients
- FOR THE DOUGH
- 800 g Self-raising flour
- 350g Kerrymaid Butter
- 4 eggs beaten
- 350g sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 lemon rind
- FOR THE FILLLING
- 200g ground almond
- 200g sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 1 lemon rind
- 3 egg whites
- FOR THE ICING
- 300g icing sugar
- half tsp vanilla essence
- 65ml water
- food coloring of your choice
Instructions
FOR THE DOUGH
Add butter to flour and use your hands to rub it in
Mix in eggs, sugar, vanilla and lemon rind
Roll out dough and knead it, adding flour as needed
Cover and put aside
FOR THE FILLING
Mix all the ingredients into a paste.
Back to the dough, roll out and cut dough using a a cookie cutter or else print out any image you want
Cut 2 pieces of the same image
Place almond mixture onto bottom dough layer.
leave edge clean for room to close
wet edge using finger dipped in water.
place top layer of dough on top
press edges together
bake at 180C for 15-20 minutes or until slightly golden
FOR THE ICING
mix ingredients together
separate icing into as many colors as you will be making and add color.
using spoon place color on figolli
pipe outline onto figolli
place chocolate egg on top
No Comments