Dead Men's Bones

Being a devout Catholic nation, Malta remembers its dead with dignity and compassion in November. Cemeteries all over the island are turned into carpets of flowers as families pay their respects to those dear ones who have long departed. However being Maltese, the nation always has some sort of culinary treat in store and remembrance of the dead is no exception.
Enter the extremely popular ‘Ghadam tal-Mejtin’.

Dead Men’s Bones, or Ghadam tal-Mejtin, as they are known locally, are traditional almond filled pastries in the shape of bones. These are made in the middle of October and are served on All Soul’s Day, at the beginning of November when we remember our deceased.

The recipe for Dead Men’s Bones has been handed down from generation to generation and the pastries have been made in Maltese families for several years. These delicacies are made from biscuit pastry with an almond paste filling in the middle and coated with coloured sweet sugar icing.

Alternately they can be bought from the middle of October to the beginning of November from a number of Confectioneries in Malta and Gozo. One Confectionery which is renowned for their Dead Men’s Bones is the Big Bun Confectionery and Bakery in Bajjada Street, Zabbar. This Bakery boasts of a 24 hour delivery service.

Big Bun Bakery has been making the Dead Men’s Bones since 1996 and the baker there has informed us that these sweet bones are still as popular as ever with the locals. The Bakery turns out tray after tray of these delicious pastries which are now also becoming popular with tourists who visit the island in the month of November.

Definitely an ideal way to satisfy your appetite after a long walk in the country. Apart from the Big Bun bakery there are quite a few in the Zabbar and Cottonera area who also specialize in this type of pastry so a visit to the area is more than recommendable.

GHADAM TAL-MEJTIN
(Dead Man’s Bones)

The following is a recipe for Ghadam tal-Mejtin for any of those who would like to try them out for themselves.

Whisk egg whites until very stiff; add almond essence, then add sugar and the ground almonds. Shape the mixture into leg bones(!) and bake in the centre of a moderate oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle some icing on top.

N.B. Say 3 ‘requiem aeternam’ per bite :-)

(Recipe courtesy of Marthese Falzon of Zebbug, Malta)