Patata l-Forn (Maltese Roast Potatoes)

Name: Patata l-Forn (Maltese Roast Potatoes)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 kg potatoes peeled and cut into thick wedges; 2 onions thinly sliced; 4 cloves garlic sliced; 3 tbsp olive oil; 300 ml vegetable or chicken stock; 1 tsp fennel seeds or aniseed; 1 tsp dried oregano or mixed herbs; Salt and black pepper to taste; Small handful fresh parsley chopped, to serve

Maltese oven-roasted potatoes with onion, garlic, stock, fennel seed, and olive oil. Golden on top, tender underneath, and full of Sunday lunch…

Maltese oven-roasted potatoes with onion, garlic, stock, fennel seed, and olive oil. Golden on top, tender underneath, and full of Sunday lunch flavour.

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Prep15 minsCook75 minsServes6DifficultyMedium

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

Patata l-Forn (Maltese Roast Potatoes)

15 min prep75 min cook90 min total6 people

Scale:

Ingredients

1½ kg potatoes, peeled and cut into thick wedges
2 onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, sliced
3 tbsp olive oil
300 ml vegetable or chicken stock
1 tsp fennel seeds or aniseed
1 tsp dried oregano or mixed herbs
Salt and black pepper to taste
Small handful fresh parsley, chopped, to serve

Method

1
Prepare the dish: Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 190°C). Spread the sliced onions and garlic in the base of a large roasting dish.
2
Season the potatoes: Add the potato wedges, olive oil, fennel seeds, dried herbs, salt, and black pepper. Toss well.
3
Add stock: Pour the stock around the potatoes, not directly over the top, so some edges remain exposed for browning.
4
Roast: Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, turning once or twice, until the potatoes are tender inside and golden on top. Add a splash more stock or water if the dish dries out too quickly.
5
Serve: Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot.

Patata l-Forn are Maltese roast potatoes cooked with onion, garlic, herbs, olive oil, and stock. They are softer and more savoury than plain roast potatoes, with crisp edges above and rich juices underneath.