Imqaret
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Plain flour — 2 cups (250 g / 9 oz)
- Olive oil, plus extra for deep frying — 1/4 cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz)
- Warm water — 1/2 cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz)
- Baking powder — 1/2 tsp
- Of salt — pinch
- Pitted dates, chopped — 300 g (10.5 oz)
- Ground aniseed — 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon — 1/2 tsp
- Zest of 1 orange
Method
- Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl, then work in the olive oil.
- Gradually add warm water, mixing to form a smooth, firm dough.
- Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- For the filling, gently warm the chopped dates with a splash of water, aniseed, cinnamon and orange zest, mashing into a thick, spreadable paste.
- Roll the dough into thin, long strips.
- Spread a line of date paste along the centre of each strip, fold the dough over to enclose, and press the edges to seal.
- Cut into diagonal diamond shapes.
- Heat oil to 175°C (350°F) and deep-fry the imqaret in batches until golden and crisp, about 3–4 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels before serving warm or at room temperature.
Introduction: Diamond-shaped pastries filled with a spiced date paste and deep-fried until crisp, a beloved Maltese sweet found at festas and street stalls.
Cultural Background: Imqaret take their name from the Maltese word for ‘diamond’, referring to their distinctive shape, and are traditionally sold at village festas and from street vendors, especially popular during summer evenings.
Tips: Warm the date paste gently before spreading, as this makes it much easier to work with. Seal the edges of the dough firmly to prevent the filling from leaking out during frying.
Variations: Some bakers add a splash of orange blossom water to the date filling for extra fragrance. Bake instead of fry at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 minutes for a lighter version.
Storage: Store cooled imqaret in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for 8 minutes, or an air fryer for 4 minutes, to restore crispness.
Nutrition: Per serving (approx., 2 pieces): 310 kcal, 4 g protein, 12 g fat, 50 g carbohydrate.
FAQs:
Q: What does imqaret mean?
A: It comes from the Maltese word for diamond, referring to the pastry’s
Q: Can imqaret be made without frying?
A: Yes, baking is a lighter alternative, though the texture will
- Plain flour — 2 cups (250 g / 9 oz)
- Olive oil, plus extra for deep frying — 1/4 cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz)
- Warm water — 1/2 cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz)
- Baking powder — 1/2 tsp
- Of salt — pinch
- Pitted dates, chopped — 300 g (10.5 oz)
- Ground aniseed — 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon — 1/2 tsp
- Zest of 1 orange
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