# Zalzett Malti biz-Zalza (Maltese Sausage in Tomato Sauce)

Source: https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/zalzett-malti-biz-zalza/

Rustic Maltese sausage simmered in tomato sauce with onion, garlic, wine, herbs, and peas. Rich, hearty, and perfect with bread or pasta.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Tags: pork, sausage, maltese-classic, main-course, one-pot, tomato, comfort-food



## Ingredients

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



- 600g fresh Maltese pork sausage (zalzett Malti)

- 2 tbsp olive oil

- 1 large onion, finely chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 120ml red or white wine

- 400g chopped tomatoes

- 2 tbsp tomato paste

- 150g peas, fresh or frozen

- 1 tsp dried oregano

- 1 bay leaf

- Small handful fresh parsley, chopped

- Salt and black pepper to taste


## Instructions

1. **Brown the sausage**: Heat the olive oil in a wide pan. Brown the Maltese sausage on all sides, then remove and set aside.

2. **Cook the aromatics**: Add the onion to the same pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

3. **Deglaze**: Pour in the wine and simmer for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

4. **Simmer the sauce**: Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, bay leaf, and black pepper. Return the sausage to the pan, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes.

5. **Finish**: Add the peas and cook uncovered for another 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Taste before adding salt, as Maltese sausage is already salty. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Zalzett Malti biz-Zalza is a hearty Maltese sausage dish simmered in tomato sauce with wine, onion, garlic, herbs, and peas. It is simple, robust home cooking, made for crusty bread, pasta, or potatoes.

## Ingredient Substitutions Outside Malta

Look for fresh Maltese pork sausage at a Maltese or Mediterranean butcher. A fresh coarse pork sausage is a practical alternative, but its seasoning will change the sauce. Avoid treating cured salami or ready-to-eat sausage as the same ingredient. Use chopped canned tomatoes if fresh ones are out of season and taste before adding salt.

## Serving Suggestions

- Serve with Maltese bread to mop up the sauce
- Spoon over spaghetti or short pasta
- Pair with patata l-forn
- Add a green salad on the side

## Traditional Notes & Tips

- Maltese sausage is usually salty, garlicky, and flavoured with coriander seed
- Taste before adding extra salt
- Some families split the sausage into smaller pieces before simmering
- Peas add sweetness and are common in home versions
- The sauce should be thick and glossy, not watery





## Serve with or cook next

- [Kawlata (Maltese Pork and Cabbage Soup)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/kawlata/): Try Maltese sausage in a pork-and-cabbage soup.

- [Patata l-Forn (Maltese Roast Potatoes)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/patata-l-forn/): Serve roast potatoes with the sausage and tomato sauce.

- [Ħobż Malti (Maltese Bread)](https://www.malteserecipes.com/recipes/hobz-malti/): Use crusty bread to scoop up the sauce.