Ftira is a traditional Maltese flatbread that is typically filled with meat, but this vegan version uses vegetables and spices, making it a delicious and healthy plant-based alternative. The flatbread is made with flour, yeast, sugar, and salt, mixed with warm water and olive oil, it’s kneaded until it becomes smooth and elastic, then left to rise for about 1 hour. The dough is then rolled out and filled with a mixture of vegetables, olives, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper, which is then folded and baked in the oven until golden brown. It’s a perfect dish to serve as a main course, as a side dish or as a snack, and it’s sure to be a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike.
Ingredients:
4 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of yeast
1 teaspoon of sugar
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of warm water
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup of chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup of sliced black olives
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
Add the warm water and olive oil and mix until the dough comes together.
Knead the dough for about 10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425F (220C).
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
Add the tomatoes, olives, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper and stir well.
Roll out the dough into a large circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
Spread the vegetable mixture over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges.
Fold the edges of the dough over the filling to form a large round.
Place the ftira on a baking sheet and bake for about 20–25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
