What to pack for the perfect beach picnic in Malta Last Updated: March 6, 2023
The warm, sunny climate in Malta, blue oceans and rugged landscape make it a popular destination for a beach holiday. If you’re preparing for a full day at a Maltese beach, here are three essentials to pack in your picnic.
1. Hobz biz-zejt (bread with oil)
This classic Maltese dish is perfect for a beach day because it’s light, fresh and easy to prepare. It’s an open-topped sandwich made with crusty ftira bread. Maltese ftira is a ring-shaped semi-flat sourdough that has a very open crumb and crispy crust that is reminiscent of Italian ciabatta. It’s such an essential local product in Malta that in 2020 it was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
To make hobz biz-zejt, spread each slice of bread with kunserva, which is a sweet tomato paste, then top with olives, capers, garlic and chopped onions. Season with sea salt, black pepper, chopped flat-leaf parsley and a generous drizzle of olive oil. You could pack all the ingredients separately so that everyone can add toppings to their liking. If you’d rather prepare them in advance and minimise mess, you could simply turn them into closed sandwiches and bulk up the filling with bean salad and cheese.
2. Fresh fruit
Temperatures in Malta reach up to 32°C in the height of summer. It’s important to stay hydrated when you’re planning to spend hours beneath the strong sun on the beach. Fresh fruit is a fantastic way to help with hydration in addition to drinking plenty of water. The quality of fresh fruit and vegetables in Malta is incredible so be sure to stock up on locally-grown produce from farmers’ markets.
Prickly pears are a popular fruit in Malta between the months of July and October. They grow on cactuses and have a flavour and texture similar to watermelon. Blackberries and apricots are in season between May and July, and nectarines are everywhere between June and August. Look out for bambinella pears in summer, also known as small Maltese June pears, which have a crunchy, juicy texture and very sweet, crisp flavour. If you want savoury snacks, be sure to pack some olives because the quality of olives grown in Malta is fantastic.
3. Pastizzi
If you’re looking for a delicious snack with minimal prep, head to a hole-in-the-wall bakery in search of pastizzi. These delicious savoury filo pastry treats are filled with either ricotta or mushy peas. The golden crust is light and crispy, while the inside is creamy without being too heavy or overindulgent. Plus, when each pastizz costs just 35 cents, it’s easy to feed the whole family on a budget. Pastizzi are one of Malta’s best-loved snacks so you can easily pick them up en route to your picnic. Aside from dedicated pastizzerias which are dotted throughout Malta’s cities, towns and villages, you can find pastizzi in bars, cafes and supermarkets. If you’re heading to the beautiful Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino – one of Malta’s most picturesque spots – for your beach picnic, you can even pick up pastizzi on the Gozo ferry.
Enjoy Malta’s delicious local cuisine
Malta’s traditional cuisine and local produce is fresh, nutritious and full of flavour. Be sure to pack your beach picnic with plenty of locally sourced ingredients to make the most of the island’s fantastic food.
