# Tonn biz-Zalza (Tuna in Tomato Sauce)

Source: 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.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Tags: fish, tuna, maltese-classic, tomato, quick-meal, main-course, seafood



## Ingredients

Measures: **1 tbsp = 15ml; 1 tsp = 5ml.** For local ingredient names and substitutions, see our [guide to Maltese ingredients abroad](/maltese-ingredients-abroad/).



- 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

1. **Make the sauce**: Heat the olive oil and cook the onion until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

2. **Simmer**: Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, capers, olives, and black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes until thick.

3. **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.

4. **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




## Explore the collections

- [Maltese fish and seafood](https://www.malteserecipes.com/collections/maltese-seafood/)


## Serve with or cook next

- [Pixxispad Mixwi (Grilled Swordfish)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/pixxispad-mixwi/): Try grilled swordfish with lemon and capers for a different fish main.

- [Kapunata (Maltese Vegetable Stew)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/kapunata/): Serve vegetables with the tuna and tomato sauce.

- [Ħobż biż-Żejt (Maltese Tomato and Tuna Sandwich)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/hobz-biz-zejt/): Use canned tuna in a sandwich when you want a no-cook alternative.