Malta’s Festive Food Traditions

Malta’s Christmas table has not always looked the way it does today.

Over the years, the island’s festive culinary culture has undergone remarkable transformations shaped by changing lifestyles, ingredients, and influences from abroad.

As with all traditions, some festive foods have stood the test of time, others have evolved, and a few have quietly disappeared from memory.

For instance, did you know that pastizzi were once traditionally eaten during the Christmas season, particularly in communities around the Grand Harbour?

Even familiar sweets have changed. Honey rings were originally made using black honey, not treacle, which is now the standard ingredient.

Dr Noel Buttigieg, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Tourism Management, sheds light on how and why these festive food traditions have evolved over time.

Watch the video to discover how Malta’s Christmas flavours tell a story of change, heritage, and identity.