A Mediterranean Thanksgiving? Yes, it’s a thing
The strange thing about living in Malta is that seasons don’t exactly behave like they do in the US. While America slips into that crisp, golden, leaves-under-your-boots kind of autumn, Malta is more… “I can still wear a T-shirt at 4pm.” But somehow, Thanksgiving still lands with this cosy energy that makes you want to grab a blanket, light a candle, and pretend the outside isn’t twenty degrees.
And honestly? That’s part of the charm. You get to build your own version of Thanksgiving: a little American heart, a little Maltese sunshine, and a whole lot of delicious food.
Why Thanksgiving hits differently when you’re an expat
If you’re not actually American, Thanksgiving becomes less about turkey traditions and more about taking a breath before the chaos of December. It’s that one day you stop, look around, and realise how much has happened this year the good, the chaotic, and the “I can’t believe that actually happened” moments.
Living in Malta introduces an additional dimension to the celebration. You’re away from the big American supermarket displays, the TV specials, and the endless pumpkin-flavoured everything. So you build your own sense of the holiday, piece by piece, and it becomes strangely meaningful. There’s something beautiful about creating a tradition that wasn’t originally yours but now feels like it fits you perfectly.
The Maltese twist on a very American holiday
Let’s be honest: sourcing a full Thanksgiving turkey in Malta feels like a quest straight out of Skyrim. You go in hopeful, and you come out with either a chicken, a pre-sliced turkey breast, or a cashier telling you to “try again on Wednesday”.
So Maltese Thanksgiving becomes this brilliant hybrid. A bit of Mediterranean food, a tiny splash of American classics, and suddenly you’ve created the cosiest mash-up imaginable. Think roasted veggies with Maltese olive oil, ħobż biż-żejt as a starter, pastizzi on the table “just because”, and maybe even pumpkin pie if you manage to track down the purée before everyone else does.
And honestly, it works. It really works.
It’s less about the food and more about the moment
Thanksgiving in Malta isn’t about having the perfect spread. It’s the warm lighting, the mismatched plates, the playlist you made ten minutes before your friends arrived, the laughter bouncing off the balcony, and the fact that no one’s taking things too seriously.
It’s that feeling of, “We’re here, we made it through another year, let’s eat.”
You might miss the American traditions, or maybe you’ve never experienced them at all, but you create something new. Something real. You create something that is uniquely yours.
Finding gratitude… island style
Malta has a way of grounding you. Maybe it’s the sea. Perhaps it is the manner in which the island compels you to decelerate, even amidst life’s chaos. Maybe it’s the simple joy of sharing a meal without the heavy pressure of a big family holiday.
Thanksgiving here becomes more intimate. More reflective. A moment where you recognise the people around your table—even if they are tiny— and feel grateful for every ridiculous, stressful, unexpected chapter of the year that brought you here.
And yes… dessert is still non-negotiable
Some traditions should never be touched. Whether it’s a pumpkin tart, an apple crumble, or a last-minute “this will do” treat from the nearest pastizzeria, dessert becomes the real finale. Thanksgiving deserves a sweet ending, even in twenty-degree Maltese November weather.
