A cornerstone of Maltese cuisine, ‘Kunserva Ħelwa’ is a sweet, thick, and highly concentrated tomato paste that is different from its Italian counterparts. This 250g tube is a convenient and essential pantry item. Its primary and most beloved use is for spreading thickly on a slice of fresh, crusty Maltese bread before adding olive oil, salt, and other toppings to create the iconic snack, ‘Ħobż biż-Żejt’.
Its rich, sweet, and concentrated tomato flavour is also used to enrich and thicken many traditional Maltese dishes, from rabbit stew (‘stuffat tal-fenek’) and meat sauces to soups. It’s a taste of home for any Maltese person and a delicious discovery for everyone else.
