Hunting for Imqaret at the Mdina Medieval Festival

It was another ordinary sunny day in Malta until Tony Zammit, the infamous gourmet hunter of Mdina, devised a cunning plan to ensure the Mdina Medieval Festival would be remembered for centuries to come. Instead of tracking the usual fenek or summien, Tony was on the prowl for something far more elusive—the perfect imqaret.

Characters on a Culinary Quest

Joining Tony on this gastronomic oddysey were his trusty compatriots: Tereża, with a sense of smell that could detect a hint of aniseed from a kilometer away; and Manwel, whose delicate pastry skills were said to be blessed by the patron saint of confectioners.

The Plot Thickens and Crisps

The trio set out through the cobbled streets of Mdina, armed with nothing but a few forks and their acute appetites. As knights jostled and jesters juggled, a scent sweeter than the mead wafted through the air, capturing their attention. “Ehh, that smells like proper imqaret, mela!” Tereża exclaimed, her nostrils flaring with excitement.

Following the scent like hounds, they came upon a stall, only to find it besieged by a horde of hungry tourists. Tereża, using her cunnings, shouted, “Uwejja!, look! Is that Joseph Calleja singing by the cathedral?” The distracted crowd turned and dashed off, leaving the path to imqaret free for the taking.

“We’ve hit the jackpot, free imqaret for everyone!” Tony bellowed, but the euphoria was short-lived.

A Twist of Fate

Just as the trio reached for the pastries, a loud thud echoed through the ancient walls. A large, shadow crept over the festivities—it was a gargantuan, inflatable Ġbejna, rolling down from Bastion Square!

In the ensuing chaos, imqaret flew like frisbees, creating a scene something between a banquet and a battlefield. But our heroes didn’t falter. Manwel, with a swift roll-and-tuck maneuver, caught the pastries mid-air, safeguarding the precious cargo.

An Unexpected Alliance

Amidst the tumult, a forgotten relic from Gozo’s Ggantija Temples had been knocked over, revealing a secret recipe carved in stone. The triumphant trio, now joined by a stray cat named Pawsa, deciphered the recipe and made a pact. They would create the greatest imqaret Malta had ever tasted, using the ancient Gozitan secret.

The Recipe for Success

They journeyed back to Valletta, where they set up a kitchen as grand as St. John’s Co-Cathedral itself. The new imqaret were a hit—infused with the essence of ħobż biż-żejt and a hint of mystery. The secret ingredient? A dash of Gozitan sea salt, harvested from the tears of joy from their newfound loyal customers.

Epilogue: Malta’s Sweet Victory

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the Grand Harbour, the news spread across the islands. The Mdina Medieval Festival would henceforth be known for the Great Imqaret Discovery, a triumph so resounding that even the Knights of Malta might’ve traded their swords for a taste of Tony, Tereża, and Manwel’s creation.

The Times of Mela interviewed Tony, who, with his mouth full of flaky pastry, declared, “Kollox is possible when you hunt for flavor!”