Maltese cuisine reflects
Maltese history, it shows strong
Sicilian and
English influences as well as
Spanish,
French,
Maghrebin,
Provençal, and other Mediterranean cuisines. Having to import most of its foodstuffs, being positioned along important trade routes, and having to cater for the resident foreign powers who ruled the islands, opened Maltese cuisine to outside influences. The traditional Maltese stewed rabbit (
fenek) is often identified as the national dish.