From Malta With Love: Maltese Wedding Traditions
April 17, 2017
This one is for my friend Noreen. Malta, where her husband heralds from is a European country with many rich and robust wedding traditions.
Classically traditionally Maltese wedding celebrations featured an il gilwa: a large “wedding” procession led by the bridal party, strutting through the streets under an elaborate and ornate canopy. This journey: a traditional trek from the brides home to the church parish; and it included singers following closely behind serenading the happy soon-to-be weds.
New brides wore the customary gonnella, a wedding day head dress consisting of a hood and shawl that is unique to the Mediterranean particularly the islands of Malta and Gozo.
Though many of these customs have been lost to modernism, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in tradition… especially in time-honored lavish and luxurious nuptial celebrations which are steeped in food, music and festivities.
Some traditional fare includes:
Lampuki: A hearty fish pie
Rabbit Stew
Bragioli: Beef olives
Kapunata: A delicious version of ratatouille
Widow’s soup: A delicious dish that features a small round of Gbejniet (sheep or goat cheese
Customary Confections:
Sinizza: A sensational sweet pastry filled with ricotta and candied peel
Pudina tal hobz: A magnificent Maltese bread pudding made with carob syrup
Torta tal-Marmurat: An abundantly decadent almond filled pie topped with chocolate and icing
Sfineg ta' San Guzepp: A zepoli type of treat made of fried dough
Classically traditionally Maltese wedding celebrations featured an il gilwa: a large “wedding” procession led by the bridal party, strutting through the streets under an elaborate and ornate canopy. This journey: a traditional trek from the brides home to the church parish; and it included singers following closely behind serenading the happy soon-to-be weds.
New brides wore the customary gonnella, a wedding day head dress consisting of a hood and shawl that is unique to the Mediterranean particularly the islands of Malta and Gozo.
Though many of these customs have been lost to modernism, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in tradition… especially in time-honored lavish and luxurious nuptial celebrations which are steeped in food, music and festivities.
Some traditional fare includes:
Lampuki: A hearty fish pie
Rabbit Stew
Bragioli: Beef olives
Kapunata: A delicious version of ratatouille
Widow’s soup: A delicious dish that features a small round of Gbejniet (sheep or goat cheese
Customary Confections:
Sinizza: A sensational sweet pastry filled with ricotta and candied peel
Pudina tal hobz: A magnificent Maltese bread pudding made with carob syrup
Torta tal-Marmurat: An abundantly decadent almond filled pie topped with chocolate and icing
Sfineg ta' San Guzepp: A zepoli type of treat made of fried dough
