Chisinau, Moldova

Moldova is approximately one and one-half times the size of New Hampshire. Its location has made it a historic passageway between Asia and southern Europe as well as the victim of frequent warfare. Since independence in 1991, the country continues to struggle to come to terms with its status as an independent state. The Moldovan countryside reflects the Romanian connection, with whitewashed homes decorated with bright colors and ornamented with painted flowers and other colorful symbols. Ethnically, Moldovans make up the vast majority of the population, with a significant Russian and Ukrainian minorities. Most of the Moldovan citizens refer to themselves as Orthodox

Food and Drink Moldovan food is based on peasant dishes traditionally made with grains and staple vegetables like potatoes, cabbage, beets and mushrooms. Almost every household has an ample supply of homemade fruit juices, jellies, vegetables, salads and pickled foods. Moldovans love sheep’s cheese, either salted and preserved for winter, with a pungent taste like strong feta, or fresh and creamy during the summer months. Placinta, or stuffed bread, is served either fried or baked and filled with cheese, cabbage, potato, or apple and is one of the most popular foods in Moldova. A type of ravioli (koltsunash) that is often served with sour cream and filled with cottage cheese, potato or meat is another national dish that accompanies most holiday dinners. Some Modldovans who live in villages eat mamaliga, a type of heavy corn grits, instead of bread.

Please visit the following site for more information on Moldova:
Lonely Planet, Moldova
Ministry of Culture and Tourism
Moldova
World of Moldvoa