Halvah or halwa is a Middle Eastern confection usually made from sesame seed paste (tahini) and sugar. Halvah can include pieces of nuts like pistachios or almonds, whole sesame seeds, bits of chocolate or dried fruits.http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/halvah_and_turkish_delight/ Seasonings for halvah can include spices like cinnamon or cardamom. Sometimes halvah is sold in a brick or loaf that is half traditional flavor and half chocolate, this is called "marbled." Some have compared the rich texture of this sweet dessert to that of fudge or peanut butter. It can be eaten as a snack or dessert served with coffee.http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/halvah!opendocument&startkey=Halvah Halvah can also be coated in chocolate or other rolled in crushed nuts.

The confection is said to have originated in Turkey and the Arabic word "Halvah" translates to "sweet" in English.http://www.joyva.com/ There are several versions of halvah throughout the world, each culture adding their own twist on this thousand-year-old confection.http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/halvah!opendocument&startkey=Halvah The treat is often thought of as a Jewish candy because it is pareve, meaning it does not contain meat or dairy and can be eaten by those who keep kosher. It is also a common treat during the Jewish holiday of Purim and enjoyed by children.http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/purim/halvah.phphttp://tasteofbothworlds.typepad.com/a_taste_of_both_worlds/2008/04/food.html Jewish halvah ingredients include tahini, butter, semolina or flour, honey and sesame seeds.http://www.jewishrecipes.org/jewish-foods/halva.html In the U.S., the company Joyva, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, is a manufacturer of commercial halvah. Their brand is often found in grocery stores at the deli counter.http://www.joyva.com/

Halvah is believed to have originated in Turkey. The sweet dessert dates back to Byzantine times and by the 1200's there were two known styles of halvah; on made with grape syrup and one with almonds.http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/halvah!opendocument&startkey=Halvah In Greece, halvah is made with sheep's milk and in Pakistan it is made with semolina. Another version is Gaajar Halvah; an Indian halvah made with carrots and raisins. Jewish halvah is a popular treat enjoyed by children around the Purim holiday.http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/purim/halvah.php In the United States, the Joyva brand of halvah is often found in grocery stores. Their halvah products are gluten-free and kosher.http://www.joyva.com/http://www.halvah.biz/

Preparing Halvah: Although there are several varieties of halvah, the preparation of the treat is fairly simple. The ingredients are combined in a sauce pan over low heat. After being fully cooked and heated through, the halvah can be poured into a mold and allowed to set. When the halvah is cooled is thickens. When the halvah is set it can be cut and served.http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Halvah-40004