Prior to World War Two, seafaring merchants from North Africa would walk along the streets of Malta and sell various kinds of foodstuffs, including Ħabbażiż. Ħabbażiż, known as tiger nuts or earth almonds, are the edible tubers of the Cyperus esculentus plant. Pictured here are some vendors selling them in Santa Lucia Street, Valletta.

What is this plant?

The plant is found across the world, but mostly throughout the Eastern Hemisphere including regions of Southern Europe; Africa; the Middle East; and the Indian Subcontinent. The Ħabbażiż is used for food, drinks, oil, as well as fishing bait!

It can be eaten raw or cooked, but are generally soaked in water in order to make them softer and better the texture. The nuts can even be dried to be rehydrated and eaten later – which is done by the Hausa people of Northern Nigeria.

Farmers harvest the plant and its edible tubers in November or December, the tiger nuts are washed and are left to dry in the sun for up to three months. The process ensures the product’s long shelf life as well as its high nutritional value.

According to some, the plant has even grown on the Maltese Islands for a while.

Have you heard of the Ħabbażiż?

Nostalgia Malta/Facebook via John C Navarro, marcoschmidt.frankfurt/Flickr