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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.

A simple Maltese tuna dish simmered with tomato, onion, garlic, capers, olives, and herbs. Quick, savoury, and full of coastal flavour.

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Prep10 minsCook25 minsServes4DifficultyMedium
Watercolour illustration of tuna steaks in tomato sauce with olives, capers and parsley.

Bright, satisfying and built for real life.

This recipe brings together the generous flavours of Maltese cooking in a format that works on a busy day. Read through the method before starting and adjust seasoning to your taste.

The recipe

Tonn biz-Zalza (Tuna in Tomato Sauce)

10 min prep25 min cook35 min total4 people
Scale:

Ingredients

Ingredients

Method

  1. 1

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

  2. 2

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

  3. 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. 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

Recipe adapted from Maltese Recipes.

Storage

No specific storage guidance is provided in the source recipe.

Freezing

Check the recipe notes for any dish-specific freezing guidance.

Reheating

Follow current food-safety guidance and reheat cooked food thoroughly where appropriate.

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