Bigilla & Ftira Skillet (Maltese Spiced Broad Bean Mash with Capers & Sun-Dried Tomatoes) – Authentic Malta Recipe
Warm, garlicky Maltese broad bean mash topped with sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and herb oil.
- Country of Origin
- 🇲🇹 Malta (Southern Europe, Europe)
- Dietary Profile
- vegan
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Mashed broad/fava beans or butter beans, Sun-dried tomatoes and capers, Charred crusty flatbread, Marjoram, Crushed red chili
Ingredients for Bigilla & Ftira Skillet (Maltese Spiced Broad Bean Mash with Capers & Sun-Dried Tomatoes) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) mashed broad/fava beans or butter beans, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups sun-dried tomatoes and capers, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup charred crusty flatbread
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with marjoram
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Malta seasoning (crushed red chili, garlic, generous extra virgin olive oil)
- 2.5 tbsp traditional cooking oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh citrus or herbs
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a wide heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sauté onion, garlic, and marjoram for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add mashed broad/fava beans or butter beans and sun-dried tomatoes and capers along with crushed red chili, garlic, generous extra virgin olive oil, searing for 8–10 minutes while tossing occasionally.
- Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth or citrus so the caramelized fond coats every bite.
- Garnish with charred crusty flatbread and serve straight from the skillet.