Moldova comprising much of what was formerly Moldavia, is situated between the ukraine and romania on what used to be one of the busiest trade routes between W. Europe and places further east. So its cuisine betrays historical connections with byzantine cookery, greece, and turkey (which effectively ruled the Moldavians for 300 years), besides the two immediate neighbours.
An example of the Greek or Levantine influence is the popularity of moussaka (which is equally popular with a different spelling in Romania and throughout the Balkans), although in a modified form which involves having more vegetables (or being vegetarian).
