Pastizzi

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that pastizzi is the national food of Malta.  The crispy, flaky, cheese filled pastries are simply divine!  Making pastizzi is not something I have ever done, nor known my grandmother to do.  The pastry required is thin and layered like a filo, buttery like a shortcrust and flaky like a puff, in other words, difficult and time consuming.  Luckily, most supermarkets stock Pepe's Pastizzi; quality, hand made, traditional pastries just like what you find in Malta.  I recommend sticking to the cheese and fetta varieties as they are the traditional flavours.  Another favourite of mine, which is widely available in Malta, is a filling made from peas, anchovies and olives, but I am yet  to see Pepe's manufacture this variety.  


Just remember, the number one rule when buying pastizzi is to stick with Pepe's.  There are a number of other companies that offer pastizzi, but these are often a highly processed rendition of the pastizzi that are small, filled with semolina and taste absolutely appalling.  It's Pepe's for the win!