Tonn biz-Zalza (Tuna in Tomato Sauce)
A simple Maltese tuna dish simmered with tomato, onion, garlic, capers, olives, and herbs. Quick, savoury, and full of coastal flavour.
Ingredients
- 4 tuna steaks or 2 tins good-quality tuna, drained
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp capers, rinsed
- 60g olives, sliced
- Small handful fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil and cook the onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Simmer: Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, capers, olives, and black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until thick.
- Add tuna: If using fresh tuna, nestle the steaks into the sauce and cook for 3-5 minutes per side until just done. If using tinned tuna, fold it in gently and heat through.
- Finish: Taste before adding salt, then sprinkle with parsley.
Tonn biz-Zalza is a simple Maltese tuna dish cooked with tomato, onion, garlic, capers, olives, and parsley. It can be made with fresh tuna steaks or good tinned tuna for a quicker everyday version.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with spaghetti, rice, or potatoes
- Eat with Maltese bread
- Add a squeeze of lemon at the table
- Good as a quick weeknight meal
Traditional Notes & Tips
- Capers and olives bring the familiar Maltese coastal flavour
- Fresh tuna should stay slightly moist, not dry
- Tinned tuna makes a practical pantry version
- The sauce should be thick enough to cling
- Taste before salting because capers and olives are salty