110640 Tue Apr 30 23:11:26 -0700 2002 5 7 Chicago Area 0 597508 I went to Manny's and found Halvah sold at the counter. I hear old candy stores sold this candy in Chicago years ago. I sometimes find this candy in restaurants at the counter or at the salad bars. I found Halvah at the salad bar at John's Garage at Hawthorne Mall in Vernon Hills. It comes in Chocolate, Marble, and Vanilla. Does anyone know the history of this candy? Tue Apr 30 23:11:26 -0700 2002 0 KAD 1 597510 I remember Joyva Halvah as one of the first candies I ever bought (Northwest side, circa 1959). There was, as I recall, a little Turkish man on the the logo. Recently (and I wish I could remember where) I saw it again, and was surprised. Maybe it's making a comeback. Is "Arabian" the right way to describe it? Might be -- I just don't know. Tue Apr 30 23:25:46 -0700 2002 597508 0 David Hammond 2 597519 I remember halavah being sold in bulk in delis as well as the packaging you describe. It is made from ground sesame seeds. I never liked it although I tried it many times. I would imagine that it comes from the mideast and since it was also popular in Jewish delis that it also came from Isreal(Palastine) or the countries surrounding it. Turkey might be a good guess since many of the Sephardic Jews when they were expelled from Spain went to Turkey. Most foods in that area are similiar and without boundries just under slightly different pronounciation and spelling. Paulette Wed May 01 11:32:06 -0700 2002 597510 0 Paulette 2 597521 They also sell it at the counter at The Bagel on Dempster in Skokie. It's a Jewish snack too. Wed May 01 13:07:53 -0700 2002 597510 0 Aubergine 1 597522 It seems that halvah may be Turkish in origin and an almond version might go back at least to the 13th century. I had wondered about the relation between the usual sesame halvah and other versions such as Indian carrot halwa. The following link to a Greek food site contains some interesting information. Link: http://www.gourmed.gr/mediterranean-diet/show.asp?mcid=30 Wed May 01 13:10:25 -0700 2002 597508 0 Rene G 2 597525 interesting link, personally i like the indian versions best (g). the semolina version is often eaten for breakfast with puris (either in its natural brownish color or orange from food coloring). I like the carrot version a lot with tea and you see it fairly often at the chaat and sweet places along devon. As phonetically as i can replicate it: "godjer ki halva" or sometimes "godjerayla" Wed May 01 13:37:15 -0700 2002 597522 0 zim