Carol Robertson

This helva tastes different and better than the store bought variety. It is usually served during religious holidays.

This treat is a holiday or wedding dessert, but delicious any time. It is a dense sponge cake soaked in syrup.

Especially in northern Turkey where the climate approximates northern coastal United States, pumpkins and pumpkin-like sweet winter squash are grown. Hazelnuts are also grown there, along the Black Sea. They combine well in this dessert.