The country of Moldova is mostly orthodox Christian. When under the influence of the Soviet Union, the population was encouraged to not go to church at an orthodox temple. Moldova is sandwiched between Romania and the Ukraine, and the country being so small it is unknown where the location originated. The country is fortunate for the government to allow religion to be separated from the state. The constitution of Moldova allows freedom and the government respects it. The majority of the country is Christian and it is evident wherever you go. The country is Russian Orthodox, although they used to be Romanian Orthodox. Priests play an important role in the ritual activities of the church. There are some female healers that use christian practices and symbols to heal the sick people. Some rituals are fasting or avoiding meat, and working, washing, or bathing at certain times. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals are rituals that most in the church believe to be important. Also, easter, Christmas, and some saints days are important to them. Some important places are Old Orhei, Saharna Monastery, and Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour. Old Orhei is famous for the cave monasteries that remain there. The museum is wide open and there is a little trail for people to walk up and see the whole site. The Saharna Monastery is one of the largest centers for pilgrimages in Moldova. Lastly, the Orthodox Cathedral in Chisinau is a cathedral in the city where most go to church. In some cases when a popular priest comes to town, he goes to that cathedral for everyone to see him. I have not found any connections between the government and the religion here in Moldova. When the Soviet Union was ruling over Moldova, that is the only case where the government would coincide with the religion. Now, there is a much better understanding and a peace over all. The religion of Moldova is a major aspect in the lives of all the people. When I was in Moldova there were many beautiful churches in the cities. The church is where all should feel welcome. One thing is that in order to go inside the women must be wearing a skirt and a headscarf out of respect for the priests and themselves. That was very different for me because here we can just enter church. I think that way is better, because that way no one is really distracted. The insides of the churches are also beautifully decorated and arranged.
A very popular dish in Moldova is Placinte. There is a restaurant chain named after this dish in Chisinau called La Placinte. This dish originated from Romania, however, it is also found in south Moldova. Placinte is a dough fried and could have cabbage, cheese, or potatoes inside.
Recipe for Romanian / Moldovan Placintas Prep time 1 hour 30 mins Cook time 1 hour Total time 2 hours 30 mins Recipe for authentic Romanian / Moldovan Placintas with 2 filling variations - potato and cheese. Recipe type: Appetiser Cuisine: Moldovan / Romanian Serves: 16 Ingredients
Ingredients for the dough:
250 grams buttermilk
1 large egg
4 table spoons olive oil (sun flower oil also can be used) and more for frying
1 tea spoon salt
1 tea spoon dry instant yeast
700 grams flour
Ingredients for the potato filling:
5 medium potatoes
½ medium onion
salt and black pepper to taste
Ingredients for the cheese filling:
500 grams farmer cheese
1 large egg
small bunch of fresh dill
salt to taste
Instructions
Bread-making machine can do a nice job kneading the dough for you. If you have once, place all liquid ingredients in the machine, then add flour and lastly yeast. Use dough kneading cycle to prepare the dough. This cycle accounts for the intervals during which the dough needs to rise and then kneaded (2 times). However, if you don’t have a bread-making machine or up for some exercise, then making the dough by hand is another option. Start with the flour and make a well in it. Place all other ingredients in the well and combine with the flour. Knead till the dough forms. The consistency of the dough should be somewhat firm, but not too dry.
Place the dough in a large bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, place it in a warm place and let it rise for 25 minutes, then go over the dough kneading it gently (no need to take the dough out of the bowl), let it rise for another 25 minutes and go over it again.
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Often, following the traditional way, placintas are made with brinza filling. Brinza is a kind of salty cheese, which is popular throughout Eastern Europe and is made from sheep’s milk. It is similar to feta which is used extensively in Moldovan / Romanian cuisine. But you can use variety of fillings for placintas – even fruits! They are great with apple filling. In this recipe, however, potato and farmer cheese fillings were used.
To prepare potato filling: Wash, peal potatoes, cut into cubes and boil in slightly salted water with a bay leaf. One the potatoes are cooked and tender (test with a fork), drain the water and mash the potatoes. In a little olive oil sauté chopped onion and add to mashed potatoes. Add salt and mix everything. Taste the filling and adjust salt as needed. Set aside.
To prepare cheese filling: Combine farmer cheese with salt and finely chopped dill fronds. Mix all ingredients. Set aside.
Once the dough is ready, take it out of the bowl and knead it into a large ball.
Divide the ball of dough into 8 equal parts and form little patties.
Using the dough roller, roll each patty into a circle approximately 6 inches in diameter.
In the middle of each circle place a generous amount of filling. It should cover approximately ½ of the dough circle. Spread it a bit.
Fold the dough to form the placinta: First fold towards the center the ends of the dough from top, bottom, and sides and press in. This will form a square. Then lightly stretching the dough, fold each of the square corners towards the center and press. Once this is done, using a roller go over the placinta flattening it slightly. Repeat the same with the rest of 8 dough patties and filling till all 8 placintas are formed. You should end up with 4 of them with potato filling and 4 with farmer cheese filling.
Fry each placinta on both sides frying the side with folds first in some live olive oil on low-medium heat till cooked through and golden brown color develops.
After each placinta is ready, transfer on paper towel to drain excess of oil.
Religion and Food - For holidays such as Easter, there is a celebration which has Easter cake, painted eggs and wine. Wine is very popular in Moldova and is often brought into the church for some events and holidays. Food Production - Agriculture is a number one leading money maker for Moldova. It is an important regional producer of grapes and grape products, and its orchards produce great amounts of fruit, including plums, apricots, cherries, and peaches. There is a majority of products that have to be imported, but there is also many items that are exported.
Sources: -Food. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.md4ever.com/about/aboutmoldova/food.html -Cooking, A. (2016, October 06). Placinte Recipe (Moldavian Pastries with Brinza). Retrieved April 20, 2017, from http://alyonascooking.com/2016/10/placinta-recipe-moldovan-cheese-filled-cakes/