Culinary history at its best! The Citadel Museums and Sites Facebook page has recently treated their followers to a very interesting artefact that can be physically found at the Gran Castello Historic House in Victoria, Gozo.

Displayed in one of the kitchens is the 'il-baqra,' an animal-shaped ceramic cooking pot affectionately known as the 'cow' in Maltese. According to the 18th-century Gozitan historian Agius de Soldanis, this vessel, referred to as "Bakra," was used for preparing rabbit stew.

The cooking process was a spectacle itself, with ingredients sealed within the 'baqra' and cooked slowly either on a stone stove or over an open fire. The lid, sealed with a mixture of flour and water, allowed steam to escape through the animal's head.

This unique cooking method, described by Agius de Soldanis, brings to life a lost time and culinary tradition, offering a glimpse into traditions that shaped Maltese gastronomy.

Have you ever come across il-’’bakra’’?