# Maltese Seafood Recipes: Lampuki, Aljotta, Octopus and Squid Source: https://www.malteserecipes.com/collections/maltese-seafood/ Cook Maltese fish and seafood with recipes for Aljotta, fried lampuki, lampuki pie, octopus stew, stuffed calamari, grilled swordfish, and tuna. Maltese fish cooking ranges from a light bowl of Aljotta to a substantial lampuki pie. Garlic, tomatoes, capers, olives, herbs, and lemon appear in different combinations throughout these recipes. Start with the fish you can get, then choose a method that suits it. Lampuki, also known as dolphinfish or mahi-mahi, are associated with late summer and autumn in Malta. If you are cooking abroad, the name at the fish counter may differ. When a recipe suggests an alternative fish, check that its texture and cut suit the method; a whole fish for soup and a steak for grilling are different starting points. The groups below include both seafood dishes and clearly labelled accompaniments so you can build a complete meal. For the place of fish in seasonal cooking, read our [Lent and Easter food history](/history/lent-and-easter/). For another family menu, explore [Maltese Sunday lunch](/collections/maltese-sunday-lunch/). ## Fish soup and lampuki Aljotta combines fish with garlic, lemon, and herbs. Lampuki can be fried simply or made into a pie with vegetables, olives, and capers. Choose fried fish when you want the fish itself at the centre, and pie when you want a larger cooking project. - [Aljotta (Maltese Garlic Fish Soup)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/aljotta/): A light, garlicky Maltese fish soup with whole fish, rice, lemon, and herbs. Traditionally served during Lent and on fish days. - [Lampuki Moqlija (Maltese Fried Mahi-Mahi)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/lampuki-moqlija/): Simple Maltese fried lampuki seasoned with lemon, garlic, parsley, and olive oil. A seasonal fish dish from late summer and autumn. - [Torta tal-Lampuki (Maltese Fish Pie)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/torta-tal-lampuki/): A beloved Maltese autumn fish pie with lampuki (dolphinfish), spinach, olives, capers, and pine nuts wrapped in flaky pastry. ## Octopus and stuffed calamari Try octopus with garlic and herbs for a dish to serve with bread, or simmer it in tomato and wine for a richer stew. Stuffed calamari need time for preparing and filling the squid before cooking, so leave space in your plan for that hands-on work. - [Qarnit bit-Tewm (Maltese Octopus with Garlic)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/qarnit-bit-tewm/): A bold Maltese octopus dish with garlic, olive oil, lemon, and herbs, served warm or at room temperature. - [Stuffat tal-Qarnit (Maltese Octopus Stew)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/stuffat-tal-qarnit/): A rich Maltese octopus stew slowly simmered with tomato, red wine, garlic, and herbs. - [Klamari Mimli (Stuffed Calamari)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/klamari-mimli/): Maltese stuffed calamari filled with breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, capers, olives, and tentacles, simmered in tomato sauce. ## Grilled fish, tuna, and fritters Grilled swordfish pairs with lemon and capers, tuna cooks in tomato sauce, and whitebait becomes small fritters. These offer different textures and cooking methods without needing to make pastry. Follow each recipe's guidance for the fish you are using. - [Pixxispad Mixwi (Grilled Swordfish)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/pixxispad-mixwi/): Maltese grilled swordfish with lemon, garlic, capers, parsley, and olive oil. Fresh, simple, and perfect for warm weather. - [Tonn biz-Zalza (Tuna in Tomato Sauce)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/tonn-biz-zalza/): A simple Maltese tuna dish simmered with tomato, onion, garlic, capers, olives, and herbs. Quick, savoury, and full of coastal flavour. - [Pulpetti tal-Makku (Whitebait Fritters)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/pulpetti-tal-makku/): Traditional Maltese whitebait fritters with egg, parsley, garlic, and lemon. Quick, crisp-edged, and full of seaside flavour. ## What to serve alongside Arjoli brings garlic and tomato to the plate, Kapunata adds vegetables, and Maltese bread catches the sauce. Pick one or two accompaniments according to the main: a fish pie already provides pastry, while a stew invites a piece of bread. - [Arjoli (Maltese Garlic and Tomato Dip)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/arjoli/): A bold Maltese dip made with garlic, tomato, olive oil, breadcrumbs, parsley, and lemon. Excellent with fish, bread, or galletti. - [Kapunata (Maltese Vegetable Stew)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/kapunata/): A vibrant Mediterranean vegetable stew with aubergines, peppers, tomatoes, capers, and olives. - [Ħobż Malti (Maltese Bread)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/hobz-malti/): Traditional Maltese crusty bread with a dark crisp crust and soft open crumb. Essential for soups, dips, and ħobż biż-żejt.