Carol Robertson

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.

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