Strawberry fest forever

Strawberries and strawberry-infused food will be celebrated at Mġarr tomorrow.

Nothing marks spring better than the abundance of luscious red strawberries and no more so than the Strawberry Festival being held at Mġarr tomorrow.

Over eight tons of the fresh spring berries were sold at the event last year, with a further ton used to make the products sold in the stalls. This year’s event promises a number of surprises, including the unveiling of a gigantic, record-breaking strawberry gateau.

Stalls will be selling strawberry-infused foods and drinks ranging from strawberry risotto, to ravioli, soup, smoothies and even strawberry wine.

More conventional strawberry dressings with ice-cream and chocolate will be on offer, together with others such as balsamic vinegar and olive oil for the more adventurous.

The festival is as much about the fruit as it is about tradition and other customary foodstuffs will be sold at a second kitchen, including bigilla, ftajjar, sfinage, snails and timpana.

Heritage Malta will be holding guided tours of Ta’ Ħaġrat Temples, located near the square, which are among the oldest freestanding buildings in the world. Tours will be held every hour throughout the day and entrance to the temples will be charged at €1.

Set to start at 10 a.m., this year’s event will expand outside the parish square to the whole of the Mġarr church area. Entrance is free and a free park-and-ride service will be available from Ta’ Qali. Buses serving routes 47 and 52 stop right next to the festival venue.

lejlamgarrija.com