Maltese Rabbit Stew Recipe Traditional Fenkata Dish

Traditional Maltese Rabbit Stew

Imagine the Maltese landscape, with its vibrant colors and rich history, as the backdrop to a culinary masterpiece. This Maltese Rabbit Stew brings the essence of Maltese cuisine to your dining table, a culinary journey in a plate. Known locally as “Fenkata,” this dish is a beautiful amalgamation of rich flavors, spices, and the rustic charm of the Mediterranean. Perfectly suited for a cozy dinner for two, this stew is a culinary indulgence for the senses, a dish to linger over as you savor the essence of the Maltese isles.

Serves: 2, Difficulty: Expert

Preparation Time: 30 minutes, Cooking Time: 2 hours

Ingredients

• 500 grams Rabbit, cut into pieces
• 2 Onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves of Garlic, minced
• 2 Tomatoes, chopped
• 2 Carrots, sliced
• 2 Potatoes, cubed
• 150 milliliters Red wine
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 sprig of Rosemary
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• 500 milliliters Water
• 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley, chopped

Method

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the rabbit pieces and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pot, add onions and garlic, cooking until the onions are soft and translucent.
• Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they break down into a rich sauce, about 5 minutes.
• Return the rabbit to the pot and add the carrots and potatoes, ensuring they are well mixed in the sauce.
• Pour in the red wine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes, then add the tomato paste, bay leaves, and rosemary.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then add water to cover the rabbit and vegetables.
• Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, until the rabbit is tender and the flavors are well incorporated.
• Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Tips

• For an enhanced flavor, marinate the rabbit in red wine, garlic, and rosemary for a couple of hours before cooking.
• Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutritional Information