In June we are in Green dining room They were resting a little. Our coordinator, Lucy Trefná, flew to the island for a few days Malta.
In the article, Lucy writes about how she visited historical monuments and discovered the magic in the process. Maltese cuisine. Of course, vegan.
Is it possible to eat vegan in Malta?
Malta is not at first glance very "vegan-friendly". Traditional Maltese cuisine is meat-focused. However, it does include a few naturally vegan, i.e. purely plant-based foods.
During my trip I tasted dishes like Ftira Malta, together with kunserva and bigilla, traditional pastizzi filled with pea puree, but also my favorite Indian and Thai kitchen.
Valletta – the capital city
The trip to Malta began in the capital city Valletta. As recommended by vegan travelers, I asked the hotel in advance if they could offer me vegan breakfastI got the answer very quickly that it wasn't no problem, since breakfast is buffet style and I can choose whatever I feel like.
The morning was pleasant. surpriseThe hotel offered a so-called "full English breakfast", which consisted, among other things, of baked beans in tomato sauce, baked tomatoes and toasted mushroomsOf course they also had toast, fresh vegetables and fruitSo the beginning was good!
Vegan street food in Malta
Shortly after breakfast, on the way from the hotel to old town, I stumbled upon a small stand with three vegan sandwichesThey looked quite rich and filling, so I passed them by, thinking I could come back to them later, at lunchtime.
But when I later saw a small bakery called Pastizzeria with Maltese street food, I couldn't resist anymore. Thanks to thorough preparation by reading vegan blogs, I knew exactly what I could buy. pastizzi with mushy peas, a naturally vegan savory pie filled with pea porridge.
This savory cake stood around 1.50 EUR, It was about 10 cm in diameter, but weighed perhaps quarter kilo. It was really heavy and really full. And how did it taste? Very wellThe dough reminded me of our shortcrust pastry and the filling was like thick pea porridgeI had it again during my stay in Malta and I definitely liked it. I recommend to taste if you find yourself in Malta.
Ftira Maltija – a traditional Maltese sandwich
By entering the word "vegan"I discovered a small establishment on Google Maps with several clearly marked vegan dishes. When I saw the word on the menu ftira and in connection malta, it was immediately clear where I would go for a late lunch. To Gugar Hangout bar for a traditional Maltese sandwich Ftira Malta.
Ftira is special Maltese bread and this vegan Malta The version mainly included:
- dried tomatoes,
- kunserva – traditional Maltese tomato puree
- bigilla – traditional Maltese bean spread
- and green olives
For me it was very pleasant experience from Maltese food.
Touristy Bugibba and international cuisine
The trip continued to a more distant city. Bugibbawhere Malta surprised me beautiful stone beaches, with crystal clear water. They enchanted me more than the sandy beach in the bay Mellieha.
I also inquired in advance about the following hotel: vegan breakfast. The selection of food was smaller than in Valletta, but they provided extra for me plant-based oat milk. So I had breakfast granola with oat milk and coffee.
In this area there has already been less traditional Maltese food, but there was even more international cuisines they had on offer naturally vegan foods.
Indian cuisine in Malta
Indian cuisine naturally has a lot vegetarian dishes that are small by modification can be changed to vegan food. They tend to be based on different legumes in a sauce and topped with cream or butter. Just leave them out and you'll have a vegan dish.
I love Indian cuisine so I couldn't avoid it Indian restaurant, which was located near the hotel. On this occasion, I took chickpea a classic and my favorite Indian dish – Chana masala. It was exactly as I requested, just spicy.
It was great as a side dish garlic naan, of course, without butter.
One serving Chana masala with one large naan (or 2 pieces, which are in the photo) cost 8.50 euros.
Tofu and Thai cuisine in Malta
Thai cuisine is also among those that are based on vegetables and often contain tofuMenus are usually designed in such a way that you can order one dish in different variants. Whether with meat or pure vegetablewhether with tofu.
To tell you the truth, I don't remember the name of this dish. But I do remember that tofu left in me big impressionIt seemed like a complete another kind tofu, as we are used to in Slovakia. It was probably the so-called silken tofu, or silken tofu, which contains much more water and almost falls apart in your mouth.
The whole meal was very tastyThe tofu was coated in flour and fried, so from the outside it was crispy and inside the silk. They were fried to kale leaves and spicy sauce with a predominance of soy sauce and a traditional side dish jasmine rice.
Even though this food was probably twice as expensive, like Indian Chana masala, I really enjoyed it.
What about on the plane?
I didn't expect that even on a company plane Ryanair they will be available immediately 3 vegan and a few vegetarian dishes.
Trip evaluation
I am very pleased that not only in Slovakia, but also in the surrounding world, expands pure offer plant-based diet, for all those who the future of our planet is not indifferent and by reducing the amount of meat consumed, they contribute to reduction quantity emissions, consumption water and consumption soil.
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