Qaċċatat tal-Irkotta

About This Recipe

Qaċċatat (singular qassata) are Gozo's beloved filled pastries, sold at bakeries and markets every morning. The ricotta filling is seasoned simply with egg, salt, and fresh herbs, enclosed in a short, flaky pastry that shatters beautifully at first bite.

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 300 gplain flour
• 120 gcold butter(cubed)
• 250 gricotta
• 2eggs
• 2 tbspfresh parsley(chopped)
• 1/2 tspsalt

Instructions

1. 1

   Make pastry

   Rub butter into flour and salt until breadcrumb texture. Add 4–5 tbsp cold water and bring together. Chill 20 minutes.

2. 2

   Make filling

   Mix ricotta, 1 egg, parsley, and salt until smooth.

3. 3

   Shape pastries

   Roll dough, cut 12 cm circles, add a spoonful of filling, fold and crimp edges or leave open-faced.

4. 4

   Bake

   Brush with beaten egg and bake at 190°C for 22–25 minutes until golden.

Variations

• •

  Fill with peas and spinach instead of ricotta.

• •

  Add lemon zest to the ricotta filling.

Storage

Best same day; reheat in oven for 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions