Breakfast: Bigilla on Ftira (Pronounced: /biˈʤilːa/) – Broad Bean Spread on Maltese Bread

Munch Classes introduces breakfast Broad Bean Spread on Maltese Bread as a creamy-yet-textured spread, crafted by combining mashed broad beans with garlic and herbs, then layering it with olive oil. Munch Classes teaches how to prepare the mixture by mashing and stirring it in a mortar or bowl, ensuring every spoonful absorbs garlic sharpness and herb freshness. Munch Classes emphasizes precise techniques like gentle emulsification as participants spread it over warm ftira, and explains how to finish with an extra drizzle of EVOO and parsley for a signature flourish that balances tradition and creativity.

🏺 Cultural History + Proverb
Munch Classes reveals how breakfast Broad Bean Spread originates from rural Maltese harvest kitchens, where families and farmers enjoyed hearty, plant-based sustenance. Munch Classes explores how the dish developed in summer fields and communal gatherings, tied to bean harvests and shared lunch breaks, showing how food often reflects communal strength. Munch Classes shares the local saying:

“Taħt il-bigilla, tissemma l-għid.” – “Beneath bigilla, gratitude grows.”
This proverb illustrates how the dish reflects appreciation and humility, encouraging reflection on how simple flavors unite people across generations.