Going vegan in Malta: how to make 3 beloved local recipes without animal products

More and more of us are choosing to go vegan to lessen our carbon footprint on this planet - not to mention the health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, targeting stubborn fat and increasing energy. Still, seeing as we Maltese love our meat and animal products, it may seem like somewhat of an impossible task. Well, I'm here to tell you that it isn't! There are so many ways to bypass meat and meat products in traditional local dishes that will be just as tasty as nanna’s famous dishes. Here are a few to help you on your way to a life free of animal products.

Ross il-forn

A traditional dish made with rice, beef and tomato sauce - plus a few family secrets that differ from home to home. The beauty of this dish is the crispy top of the rice juxtaposed with the softer middle layer, further amplified by a crispy bottom. Your alternative to beef here is pretty simple - cook down some diced aubergine or mushroom and keep them quite moist while cooking, as the oil from the beef does traditionally add to the consistency. Bake and drizzle with some olive oil before digging in!

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A post shared by Nicole (@nikkistreat) on Apr 25, 2014 at 12:03pm PDT

Kusksu

An autumn warmer that features two non-vegan ingredients - gbejna (local cheeselet) and egg. You’ll soon find out that food without animal products tastes cleaner and the flavours are more pronounced throughout the dish - nothing overpowers the other. You’ll also realise that there are alternatives for everything; including eggs and cheese. Use an egg replacement to give this dish some added flavour.

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A post shared by 🌱Marylyse (@tastytastyplants) on Mar 31, 2018 at 11:04pm PDT

Ftira biz-zejt

After trying the classic ftira without tuna, there's no turning back! The sweetness of the kunserva, the briny olives and salty capers combined with fresh onions, broad beans, some good olive oil, freshly ground pepper and a mouthwatering ftira is all you’ll ever need. It’s all about the bread really, and the good news is - it’s vegan!

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A post shared by dre | andre sammut (@dre_109) on Nov 12, 2017 at 2:17am PST

Wash these animal loving classics with an ice-cold Cisk - yes, Cisk is vegan - as are Blue Label, Hopleaf, Cisk Excel and Cisk Chill. No guilt in your cheeky pint!