Halva refers to various local confection recipes. The name is used for referring to a huge variety of confections, with the most geographically common variety based on toasted semolina.

Where was Halva first made?

Halva originated in Persia. A reference to halvah appeared in the 7th century, referring to a mixture of mashed dates with milk. By the 9th century, the term was applied to numerous kinds of sweets, including the now-familiar sweetened cooked semolina or flour paste.

Is Halva Turkish or Greek?

Although halva is common across Greece, it seems very likely that the etymology and possibly the origin of the dish are Turkish. According to the "Classic Turkish Dictionary", the word "halva" means sweet in Turkish, but has evolved over time and is mainly associated with the name of the sweet in question.