A calendar of Maltese food

Abstract

There are constant new discoveries in the archaeological field of the Mediterranean civilizations. Malta is closely involved. There are many who believe that it was the very centre of the earliest civilization (vide Colin Renfew's "Before Civilization"). Man has lived in Malta from his earliest days and to live one has to eat. Maltese food has undoubtedly been influenced by the Romans, Arabs, Normans, the European galaxy, that was the Order of St. John - the very flower of Europe - and the British. We have picked up something from all of them in the way of food and customs but we have definitely made it our own - as we have done with silver, furniture and language. In all spheres there is an element that is purely Maltese mainly so with language. To me food, is a vital part of a nation's identity almost as important as language. [excerpt]