How to Make Spicy Broad Bean Paste (Maltese Bigilla recipe)

Dried Broad Bean (Fava Bean) Paste is a Maltese recipe also referred to as Bigilla in the native language. The paste is served either with a piece of bread (like ftira) or water crackers (galletti). It is ideal as a healthy snack or to serve with drinks. In Malta this Bigilla can be purchased in stores or from street vendors. However for those who wish to try it at home, here is the authentic recipe passed down in my family through generations. I still have the handwritten recipe in my great grandmothers handwriting!

• 500 grams of dried broad beans (fava beans)
• 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• the juice of 1 lemon
• 1 or 2 red peppers according to taste
• 7 cloves of dried garlic
• fresh parsley, mint and marjoram
• salt
• a blender

• Place the dried broad beans in a large container and cover with water. Let them soak for a day making sure to change the water several times.
• Drain the water. Rinse the beans and place in a pot. Cover the beans with water. Bring the water to the boil and allow to boil for 90 minutes. Add more water to the pot as needed, always making sure all the beans are covered in water.
• After 90 minutes the beans should be soft. Drain the water and put the beans in the blender.
• Add the other ingredients and blend.
• Allow to cool before serving.

If you are interested in Maltese recipes you may want to have a look at this traditional Maltese Lenten cookie also known as Kwarezimal Recipe.