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Kirxa (Maltese Tripe Stew)

An old-style Maltese tripe stew slowly cooked with tomato, onion, garlic, wine, and herbs until tender and rich.

An old-style Maltese tripe stew slowly cooked with tomato, onion, garlic, wine, and herbs until tender and rich.

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Prep20 minsCook120 minsServes4DifficultyMedium
Watercolour illustration of Maltese tripe stew with tomato, potatoes 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

Kirxa (Maltese Tripe Stew)

20 min prep120 min cook140 min total4–6 people
Scale:

Ingredients

Ingredients

Method

  1. 1

    Prepare the tripe: Rinse the cleaned tripe well. If needed, simmer it in fresh water for 20 minutes, then drain.

  2. 2

    Cook the base: Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot. Add the onions and cook until soft. Stir in the garlic.

  3. 3

    Add wine and tomato: Pour in the wine and simmer for a few minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, marjoram or oregano, and black pepper.

  4. 4

    Simmer: Add the tripe, cover, and cook gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until tender. Add a little water if the sauce becomes too thick.

  5. 5

    Finish: Add potatoes for the final 30 minutes if using. Season with salt, sprinkle with parsley, and serve hot.

Kirxa is Maltese tripe stew, an old-fashioned dish from a time when every part of the animal was used carefully. It is slow-cooked with tomato, wine, garlic, onion, and herbs until tender and deeply savoury.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with crusty Maltese bread
  • Add boiled or roasted potatoes
  • Pair with a simple salad
  • Best eaten hot, with plenty of sauce

Traditional Notes & Tips

  • Use well-cleaned tripe from a good butcher
  • Slow cooking is essential for tenderness
  • Some families add peas or carrots
  • The sauce should be rich and thick
  • The flavour improves after resting

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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