Maltese Tuna Ftira

I first tried this delicious sandwich when visiting Malta several years ago. The Ftira bread cannot be found here in the French countryside so I've substituted it with a freshly baked seeded bun, though Ciabatta would also work. I also substituted the flat white beans that they use over there with regular white beans. The local Maltese tomato paste is absolutely delicious and more acidic than the one they sell over here, and for that reason, I have combined a good quality tomato paste with a little red wine vinegar.

4 Servings

Ingredients:

4 ftira buns (can be substituted by ciabattas or other freshly baked buns)

200gr drained tinned tuna

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp capers

1 large tomato, deseeded & finely sliced

3 tbsp sliced green olives

125gr drained flat white beans (can be substituted by regular white beans)

Freshly ground black pepper

6-8 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp quality tomato paste (or regular tomato paste combined with 1 tbsp red wine vinegar)

Instructions:

Combine tuna, red onion, capers, tomato, olives, beans & 2-3 tbsp of olive oil. You may add a little salt if needed, though I find that the capers & olives generally add enough saltiness to go without.

Slice ftiras into halves horizontally & drizzle 1/2 tbsp olive oil onto the insides of each half.

Follow with 1/2 tbsp tomato paste & a generous sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Place 1/4 of the tuna filling onto the bases of each ftira & cover with the top