Reskeon's Annual "Fenkata"
by Paul Vella

The Fenkata has been off the Reskeon calendar for the last two years. This was because of the lack of rabbits available due to the recent control on rabbits by the government.
 
For the Reskeon "Fenkata" rabbits used are home bred by Maltese members or friends of the group.
 
This year, the numbers were a bit down from previous years. This was due to such a night was not held for a few years and because of no advertising at all. Most Reskeon functions are not advertised because we get the numbers from the members who follow the calendar month by month.
 
But we still managed to cater for around 120 people for this "Fenkata" which was held at the Maltese Centre in Parkville, on 7th October.
 
President John Gauci told me that when they held the first "Fenkata" they only catered for around 40 people. But since then it grew and grew and there were times when around 300 people attended this function.
 
As always, those attending the function also attended the Special Mass at St Paul's Chapel, on this occasion celebrated by Father Emmanuel Adami, mssp.
 
Again this year, the cooking for the "Fenkata" was in the hands of the Mellieha "gang" - Jane Cutajar and Theresa and Laurie Bartolo. This group of members were always in charge of the cooking of the rabbits on these nights.
 

Naturally, some committee members of the association lent a hand on the day and most were at the Centre as early as 7.30 in the morning. A special "helper", also arriving at the early hours of the morning was the grandshop of John and Anne Gauci, Simon Gauci. He worked hard all day and was ready to lend a hand in anything from peeling onions and potatoes as well as helping with waitering.
 
There was a lot of work to be done as the "gang" always believe all the cooking has to be done on the day. Forty rabbits had to be cut in portions, and fried. Forty kilos of onions had to be peeled and sliced, the same with 30 kg of potatoes.
 
Then the sauce had to be prepared, and when you're cooking for 120 people you sure need a large pot for this.
 
After Mass, the members came to the hall and were seated at their tables. Nuts and chips were served on the tables while those present helped themselves to drinks. Red and white wine, beer and soft drinks were served all night.
 
Music for the night was provided by One-Man Band Alfred Xuereb who kept those present dancing all night with different kind of music.
 
By the time those attending were having some drinks, the spaghetti was being cooked and soon it was being served on the tables.
 

Seconds were offered and some did just that.
 
Afterwards it was time for the main course to be served, rabbit stew (stuffat) and plenty of bread.
 
Again those present were asked have seconds and some did.
 
Most of those present were glad that such a night was on again. Not many have the chance to eat rabbit at home mainly because they don't find the home-bred rabbits in the first place.
 
A good time was had by all those attending the "Fenkata".
 
Thanks to all those who helped to make this night a great success, especially Jane, Theresa and Laurie and the committee members of the association.
 
Special thanks to Simon who did a great job on the day with his great help and we hope to see more of him in the future.
 
It is good to see some young people attending such functions but we do realise that when our children reach a certain age you can't drag them with you wherever you go.
 
Finally, thanks to all those attending the night because without them you cannot achieve success.