If you want some Maltese recipe ideas, merely going on Marlene Zammit’s website A Maltese Mouthful may be a good place to start. From homemade gbejniet to hearty kawlata, Marlene combines age-old traditional Maltese recipes with some beautiful photos of her dishes, creating a collection which shows off the flavours of some of Malta’s best gastronomy.

For Marlene, an Australian living in London, and daughter to a Maltese couple whose families hail from Bahrija and Mgarr, A Maltese Mouthful is more than a blog. “It is also about me reliving some happy childhood memories,” she tells me. “A few years ago, I just decided to start documenting my recipes and also photographing these meals. It was a creative outlet which I really wanted to express and share.” It is also a way in which Marlene feels she can pass on some elements of Maltese culture to her two young girls.

Marlene believes Maltese cuisine reflects the islands' history and rulers through its ingredients. “It shows how we have been in contact with so many different nations that have either ruled, tried to rule, temporarily stepped onto our islands, or just been our neighbour,” she says when asked why she finds Maltese cuisine intriguing. “Maltese food is more than just its recipes, since each dish not only serves a purpose but also has its own unique story and that’s fascinating.”

Good food is not a novelty to Marlene. Rather, it is something she grew up with. Her family all come from farming backgrounds, and she herself grew up on a vegetable farm in Australia. “It is there where I learned all about our culture initially,” she explains.

“My father, unfortunately, passed away when I was 13 years old, tragically, from a farm accident, and our Maltese culture was very important to him. By sharing my experiences and recipes, it is a way to hold on to the good memories that we shared, and keep our culture alive. Moving to London also meant that I was leaving behind what I grew up with in Australia including those memories I wanted to hold on to.”

“Any culture is extremely important to preserve and share,” she argues. “It is a way to enrich our lives and share what we all have to offer.” Marlene has family in Malta and visits annually. “I love Malta,” she says, “especially the small villages where my family are from and I consider them to be my home just as much as London and, even Australia, have been.”

Follow Marlene's blog here!