Autumn Recipes in Malta: 9 Comfort Foods to Warm Your Soul

The Ultimate Autumn Feast: Nine Healthy Recipes to Warm Your Soul This Season
Keywords: Food, Olive Oil, Dessert, Roast, Beetroot, Butter, Pumpkin

Autumn in Malta is a season to embrace a slower pace of life, where the golden hues of the landscape and the cooler breezes call for comforting, nourishing meals. It’s the perfect time to retreat to the kitchen and savour the earthy flavours of seasonal produce such as pumpkins, beetroot, and carrots. With the days getting shorter, there’s something truly special about cooking meals that fill your home with warmth and the scent of autumn spices.

In this collection of nine wholesome recipes, we bring you creative and delicious dishes to celebrate the season. From vibrant pumpkin soup with a spicy kick to a rustic vegetable galette and sweet, salted pumpkin pie, there’s something for everyone. These recipes combine the best of Malta’s Mediterranean ingredients, like olive oil and fresh produce, with the indulgent comfort of butter, cream, and warming spices. Whether you’re planning a cosy dinner, a festive family meal, or just looking for ways to enjoy the bounty of autumn, these recipes will make your kitchen the heart of your home this season.

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Spicy Pumpkin Soup

A bowl of this creamy, spiced pumpkin soup is the perfect way to warm up on a cool Maltese evening. Ginger and chilli add a touch of heat, while smooth pumpkin and a drizzle of olive oil create a velvety texture that’s simply irresistible.

Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped
• Chilli sea salt
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Thumb-sized piece of ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• 1kg pumpkin, peeled and cubed
• 1.25 litres chicken or vegetable stock

For the topping:

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 50g pumpkin seeds
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• Chilli sea salt
• Greek yoghurt or sour cream, thinned with a little water

Method:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, celery, and a pinch of chilli sea salt. Cook for 12-15 minutes until soft and golden.
2. Stir in the garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, and pumpkin cubes. Cook for a few minutes before adding the stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes until the pumpkin is tender. Blend until smooth.
3. For the topping, fry the pumpkin seeds and garlic in olive oil until golden. Sprinkle with chilli sea salt. Serve the soup with a swirl of yoghurt and the toasted seed mix.

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Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Butter

This dish is a celebration of wholesome ingredients, perfect for when you want to impress dinner guests or simply treat yourself. The creamy squash filling, silky pasta, and nutty sage butter create a symphony of autumnal flavours.

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 300g butternut squash
• 3 large eggs
• 300g 00 pasta flour
• 50g ricotta
• 25g parmesan, grated
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 10g unsalted butter
• Handful of sage leaves
• Sea salt flakes
• 20g toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Roast the peeled and diced squash with a drizzle of olive oil for 30 minutes. Mash and mix with ricotta, parmesan, nutmeg, and sea salt.
2. Make pasta dough by combining flour and eggs, kneading until smooth. Chill for 30 minutes.
3. Roll out pasta dough thinly. Add teaspoons of filling, seal with another sheet, and cut into ravioli.
4. Cook ravioli in salted boiling water until they float. Toss in a pan with sage butter and toasted hazelnuts before serving.

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Rustic Roasted Autumn Vegetable Galette

This free-form tart is a delightful way to showcase seasonal vegetables like squash, carrots, and onions. Perfectly crisp pastry meets creamy crème fraîche and a touch of fresh herbs in this comforting dish.

Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 45-50 minutes

Ingredients:
For the pastry:

• 250g plain flour
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 125g cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp iced water
• 1 egg, beaten

For the filling:

• ½ butternut squash, peeled and sliced into wedges
• 2 red onions, cut into wedges
• 250g carrots, cut into pieces
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 200g crème fraîche
• 100g cheddar, grated
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Small bunch of sage and oregano, finely chopped

Method:

1. Prepare the pastry and chill for an hour. Meanwhile, roast the vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 200°C for 25 minutes.
2. Mix crème fraîche, cheddar, mustard, and herbs. Roll out the pastry, spread the mixture, and top with the roasted vegetables. Fold the edges and bake for 45-50 minutes until golden.

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Sausage and Autumn Veg Traybake

A hearty one-pan meal that’s quick to prepare and packed with flavour. This traybake features local Maltese sausages, sweet apples, and earthy squash for a comforting dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6-8 chunky sausages
• 300g butternut squash or pumpkin, cut into wedges
• 2 red onions, cut into wedges
• 1 large leek, chopped
• 2 apples, quartered and cored
• Small bunch of oregano
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 200ml chicken or vegetable stock

For the mash:

• 1kg potatoes and parsnips, peeled and cubed
• 75g butter
• 4 tbsp sour cream
• Bunch of chives, sliced

Method:

1. Roast sausages and vegetables at 180°C for 25 minutes. Add stock and cook for another 25 minutes.
2. Boil potatoes and parsnips, mash with butter and sour cream, and garnish with chives. Serve alongside the traybake.

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Honey-Roasted Beetroot

Earthy Maltese-grown beetroot is transformed with a touch of honey and thyme, making it a standout side dish that’s both nutritious and delicious.

Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 45-55 minutes

Ingredients:

• 450g beetroot, scrubbed
• Small bunch of thyme
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp runny honey

Method:

1. Roast whole beetroots with thyme, vinegar, and olive oil at 200°C for 30-45 minutes.
2. Slice the cooked beetroot, drizzle with honey, and roast for 20 more minutes until caramelised.

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Discover the warmth of autumn through these recipes that celebrate health, flavour, and the joy of cooking at home. With Malta’s rich harvest of seasonal produce, your kitchen can become a sanctuary of nourishment and delight.