Hobz biz-Zejt

Name: Hobz biz-Zejt
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Maltese
Ingredients: 4 thick slices Maltese ftira or sourdough bread; 4 ripe tomatoes; 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tbsp capers, rinsed; Handful of green olives; 1 small red onion, thinly sliced; Fresh basil leaves; Sea salt, black pepper; Kunserva (tomato paste) optional

Hobz biz-Zejt (hobz biz-ZAYT)

Maltese Bread with Tomato and Oil

⏱ Prep Time 10 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 285 kcal

Crusty Maltese sourdough bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with capers, olives, onion, and fresh herbs.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 7.0g

Carbs 35.0g

Fat 13.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten

Equipment Needed

sharp knife cutting board

Presentation Guide

Vessel: wooden board

Garnishes: basil, olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments: bigilla dip

Ingredients

4 thick slices Maltese ftira or sourdough bread
4 ripe tomatoes
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp capers, rinsed
Handful of green olives
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves
Sea salt, black pepper
Kunserva (tomato paste) optional

Instructions

1
Halve the tomatoes and rub the cut side firmly into each bread slice, squeezing juice into the bread.
2
Optionally spread a thin layer of kunserva on the bread.
3
Drizzle generously with olive oil.
4
Top with capers, olives, red onion rings, and torn basil.
5
Season with sea salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

💡

Did You Know?

Fishermen and farmers traditionally ate hobz biz-zejt as their midday meal, prepared in the morning and wrapped in cloth to take to work.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

sharp knife
cutting board

Garnishing

basil, olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments

bigilla dip

The Story Behind Hobz biz-Zejt

Hobz biz-zejt is the Maltese cousin of Italian bruschetta and Spanish pan con tomate. It showcases Malta's Mediterranean identity — crusty bread, sun-ripened tomatoes, and local olive oil. The addition of capers and Maltese kunserva gives it a distinctly island character.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch or snack 📜 Origins: Ancient Mediterranean

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