VALLETTA — In a startling culinary twist, a local fisherman named Karmenu insists he has invented ‘fish-flavored pastizzi’ after accidentally dropping a can of tuna into a batch of dough. His claim has ignited a national debate on Maltese cuisine and the price of tinned goods.
Karmenu, who can usually be found at the Marsaxlokk market selling his catch, described it as a ‘happy accident.’ He said, “One minute I was making pastizzi, the next I was experimenting with tuna. Uwejjaw, I thought, why not? Now everyone is talking about it!”
The reaction has been mixed. Some locals are calling it a culinary revolution, while others suspect a diabolical ploy to increase the price of tinned tuna, currently hovering around a staggering €1.50 per can.
“I can see it now: Karmenu is in cahoots with the Tuna Business Association,” exclaimed Marija, a local food critic. “It’s a conspiracy to make us pay more for our lunchtime snack!”
Date of the pastizzi’s debut at Karmenu’s stall is set for tomorrow. Meanwhile, rumors circulate that tourists have already started freaking out over the idea of fish-flavored pastries. “I can’t even imagine!” exclaimed Liam, a confused British tourist. “In Malta, anything can happen!”
Only time will tell if fish-flavored pastizzi will end up in every pastizzerija or in the local rubbish bin. But for now, Karmenu is riding the wave of publicity. “If this goes well,” he said with a wink, “I’m planning to do a liġi tal-patata in tomato sauce next!”
At press time, the Planning Authority is considering regulations on accidental culinary inventions, as the population waits with bated breath for their first taste of this bizarre new snack.