For the uninitiated, that’s not a typo in the title – today is officially Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi)! Ok, so that might sound a little nerdy, but the way it’s celebrated sure isn’t! Pi Day is observed every year on 14th March, since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant digits of π, and it’s been celebrated in many ways, including eating pie, throwing pies and discussing the significance of the number π, but well, we’re Maltese and we just can’t give up a good excuse to eat some pie! Here are some of our traditional favourites.
1. Maltese pumpkin pie
The Maltese pumpkin pie is made using pumpkin (obvs), rice, leeks, tuna and herbs, all cosied up into puff pastry. It’s absolutely to die for!
2. Corned beef pie
I tasted this for the first time last week (I know, I’ve been missing out), and boy was I impressed. And while it’s not technically Maltese, like a lot of food, it’s become part of our cuisine. #NotComplaining
3. Lampuki pie
It doesn’t get more traditional than this. We live on an island, so it stands to reason that we'd have an abundance of fish, and obviously, we couldn't help but make a delicious pie out of one of the most popular fish, lampuki!
4. Torta tal-gbejniet u ful
Translation: broad bean and local cheeselet pie. Apart from the obvious ingredients, we also throw in some irkotta (and by some, I mean 500g), eggs, peas and parsley, because we like our food to look and taste fancy!
5. Ricotta pie
Ricotta pie comes in all shapes and sizes, but the two most important things are the ricotta filling, and a heck of a lot of pastry. Some recipes even add gbejna to this one, because honestly, gbejna is life and we just can’t get enough.
6. Spinach and tuna pie
Spinach, cans of tuna, some olives and a sprinkle of herbs, and voila! Spinach and tuna pie! Oh, and another variation that Maltese love is spinach and ricotta pie. We can’t help it! We just love our cheese!
7. Torta tal-lewz
This one is a sweet pie, usually made for special occasions such as birthdays, holy communions and weddings in particular. But we love a good almond cake dressed in glazed cherries and naked almonds at any time of year, so any excuse we’ve got, we’re making one!
8. Torta tal-marmurat
Another sweet pie, because we’ve got an undeniable sweet tooth! The torta tal-marmurat combines almonds, chocolate, sweet spices, and more chocolate. Oh, and a splash of marmalade! It has a real sweet kick to it, doesn’t it?
Bonus: Fish fingers’ pie (you’ll thank me later)
You might be asking yourself, what is she on about? But believe me when I say, this is one of the tastiest pies ever (and my personal fave). It’s my grandmother’s recipe, easy to make and super delicious, you’ll be having piece after piece. All you need is a packet of fish fingers, a jar of red polpa sauce and a packet of white sauce, and pastry, of course. Imagine this: a base of pastry, crunchy fish fingers, a layer of red sauce and a layer of white sauce, with pastry strips on top, all warmly baked. *Calls nanna for a pie request*
Which pie will you be indulging in today?