# Maltese All Saints, All Souls and Halloween Recipes Source: https://www.malteserecipes.com/collections/maltese-all-saints-halloween-food/ Bake Maltese Għadam tal-Mejtin for November remembrance, and choose pumpkin pie, warm soups, roasted chestnuts, and small sweets for an autumn gathering. Late October and early November bring several different occasions close together. This collection gives you one Maltese remembrance sweet and a choice of autumn dishes for the rest of the table. ## All Saints, All Souls, and Halloween Halloween falls on 31 October, followed by All Saints' Day on 1 November and All Souls' Day on 2 November. The [Archdiocese of Malta's account of All Saints and All Souls](https://church.mt/all-saints-and-all-souls-day-2/) describes the separate observances on the two November dates. [Visit Gozo's sweets guide](https://visitgozo.com/2024/10/22/delectable-treats-more-gozos-sweets-indulgences/) associates [Għadam tal-Mejtin](/recipes/ghadam-tal-mejtin/) with All Souls' Day. The name means bones of the dead, and the almond-filled pastry is shaped accordingly. You can serve the same biscuits at a Halloween gathering while keeping their November remembrance story clear. ## Put Together an Autumn Table For a seated meal, choose [pumpkin and rice pie](/recipes/torta-tal-qargha-hamra/) and a green salad, followed by a bone biscuit with coffee. The pie is savoury, with tomato, black olives, and mint. Its Halloween connection here is the pumpkin ingredient and autumn menu idea, rather than a documented feast-day custom. For a more relaxed visit, offer [roasted chestnuts](/recipes/qastan-mixwi/) and a few biscuits. Add [homemade baci](/recipes/homemade-baci/) if you want a chocolate sweet, serving small batches from the fridge. If you prefer soup, use Minestra or mushroom soup as the main warm dish and offer bread alongside. There is no need to cook all three main-course options in this collection. ## Plan the Shaping and Serving Make a broad bone template with rounded ends so the pastry is easier to lift. Cool the biscuits fully before adding the white glaze. Children can help with templates or decorating cooled biscuits; an adult should handle hot trays and chestnut scoring. Read the rice-handling notes before making the pumpkin pie ahead. Roast chestnuts close to eating, and keep chocolate sweets chilled. The individual recipes explain which ingredients and waiting times each project needs. When the season moves towards Christmas, use our [Advent recipes and preparation guide](/collections/maltese-advent-food/) or the [Maltese Christmas collection](/collections/maltese-christmas-food/). ## November almond bones Għadam tal-Mejtin are almond-filled sweet pastries shaped like bones and finished with white icing. They are associated with All Souls' Day and November remembrance. Allow time for chilling the pastry, sealing the filling, and cooling before decorating. - [Għadam tal-Mejtin (Maltese Almond Bone Biscuits)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/ghadam-tal-mejtin/): Bone-shaped Maltese sweet pastries with almond filling and white icing, associated with All Souls' Day and November remembrance. ## Pumpkin and a warming first course Savoury pumpkin-and-rice pie makes a substantial autumn main. Minestra is a vegetable-soup alternative, while mushroom soup provides another warming starter. These are menu suggestions for a gathering around Halloween or early November. - [Torta tal-Qargħa Ħamra (Maltese Pumpkin and Rice Pie)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/torta-tal-qargha-hamra/): A savoury Maltese pumpkin pie with rice, tomato, black olives, and mint enclosed in golden shortcrust pastry. A filling autumn bake to share. - [Minestra (Thick Maltese Vegetable Soup)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/minestra/): A hearty, rustic Maltese vegetable soup - thicker than brodu and packed with seasonal vegetables. A true everyday home dish. - [Wild Mushroom Soup](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/wild-mushroom-soup/): A rich, earthy mushroom soup made with dried porcini, mixed wild mushrooms, herbs, stock, and a spoonful of mascarpone. ## Warm snacks and small sweets Freshly roasted chestnuts are best peeled while still warm. Homemade baci set in the fridge and can be offered in small portions. Almond macaroons give you another simple sweet for the table. Check nut and other ingredient labels for your guests. - [Qastan Mixwi (Roasted Chestnuts)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/qastan-mixwi/): Fresh chestnuts roasted until tender, with split shells and a gently sweet centre. A simple warm snack for autumn evenings and Advent gatherings. - [Homemade Baci (Chocolate and Hazelnut Sweets)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/homemade-baci/): Small chocolate-coated hazelnut sweets with a biscuit-and-cocoa centre. An oven-free treat for Advent visits, Christmas platters, or homemade gifts. - [Biskuttini tal-Lewż (Maltese Almond Macaroons)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/biskuttini-tal-lewz/): Traditional Maltese almond macaroons with a crisp outside and chewy centre. Simple, fragrant, and often served for celebrations. ## Finish with a warm drink Serve a little spiced Maltese coffee, or plan Imbuljuta if you want a chestnut-and-chocolate drink. Imbuljuta has a Christmas association and is included here as a winter drink option; its dried chestnuts need an overnight soak. - [Kafè Malti (Maltese Spiced Coffee)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/maltese-coffee/): Strong, dark coffee gently spiced with cloves and citrus. A Mediterranean blend of Italian espresso culture and North African spice traditions. - [Imbuljuta tal-Qastan (Maltese Chestnut and Chocolate Drink)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/imbuljuta-tal-qastan/): A warming Maltese drink of tender chestnuts, cocoa, dark chocolate, orange, and cinnamon. Start the dried chestnuts soaking the night before.