Book of Days Tales

Today is the first Sunday in Lent, called by a number of names including Invocabit Sunday after the collect, Invocabit me, from Psalm 90. All Sundays, throughout the year, including Lent, are feast days, so, theoretically, the faithful can cast off their Lenten observances for the day – but – not excessively. In Malta, the first Sunday in Lent is called People’s Sunday and is marked by processions in the streets in major cities. So, here is a Maltese appetizer recipe – fazola bajda bit-tewm u tursin – with no meat even though it is allowed today.

Ingredients

1 can, drained, white butter beans
1 small bunch parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic peeled, crushed, chopped and lightly fried to soften
3 spring onions finely chopped
10 olives pitted and chopped
4 Tbsp red wine vinegar (use normal vinegar if you don’t have it)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Also adjust the oil and vinegar to your taste.

Serve with traditional Maltese bread, a crusty sourdough version.