Mqaret is a traditional Maltese dessert made from dates, usually deep-fried and served warm. Here’s a recipe to make this delicious treat:

Servings: 6-8 servings, assuming 2-3 pieces per person

Preparation time: 30-40 minutes (for making the dough, preparing the filling, and assembling)

Cooking/frying time: 15-20 minutes (depending on the size of the batch and frying speed)

INGREDIENTS

For the date filling:

 

  • 300g pitted dates
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon water (for softening the dates)

For the dough:

 

  • 300g plain flour
  • 100g butter, softened
  • Pinch of salt
  • Water, as needed (around 100ml)
  • For frying:

 

Vegetable oil for deep frying

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prepare the date filling:
  • In a small saucepan, place the pitted dates with 1 tablespoon of water.
  • Cook on low heat, stirring occasionally until the dates soften into a paste.
  • Add orange zest, lemon zest, ground cinnamon, and sugar (if you prefer a sweeter filling). Mix well and set aside to cool.

 

  1. Make the dough:
  • In a large bowl, mix the flour and a pinch of salt.
  • Rub in the softened butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
  • Slowly add water a little at a time, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms.
  • Knead the dough for a couple of minutes, then cover and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
  1. Assemble the mqaret:
  • Roll out the dough on a floured surface into a rectangular shape, about 3-4mm thick.
  • Spread the date filling evenly over half of the dough.
  • Fold the dough over to cover the date mixture and press the edges to seal.
  • Cut into rectangular shapes (approximately 3x6cm).
  1. Fry the mqaret:
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
  • Fry the mqaret in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  1. Serve:
  • Serve warm, optionally dusted with powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.

Enjoy your warm and crispy Mqaret—a perfect Maltese treat!