Urmia Walnut Halva Recipe for Muharram Offerings with an Exceptional and Authentic Flavor + Video

According to the Saed News cooking section, halva is one of the oldest and most traditional Iranian desserts. This dessert is mostly prepared for iftar during the holy month of Ramadan and is also commonly served at mourning ceremonies and during Muharram. One of the traditional types of halva is Urmia walnut halva. As its name suggests, it is specific to the city of Urmia. In this halva, mulberry syrup, date syrup, or grape syrup is used according to preference, making it very nutritious. In addition, the presence of walnuts gives this halva many beneficial properties.

Instructions for Preparing Urmia Walnut Halva

Step One
To prepare this elegant and delicious halva in the Urmia style, first prepare the syrup. Pour the sugar, warm water, and syrup into a bowl. Mix them well until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture becomes uniform.

Step Two
Set the prepared syrup aside. Take a pan and place it over heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Then add the flour to the butter and sauté over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Step Three
Stir using a wooden spoon. The sautéing time is about 20 to 25 minutes. At first, the flour and butter will clump together, but with continued stirring, the flour will gradually blend into the butter. When the flour turns a light brown color, remove the pan from the heat and add the syrup.

Step Four
Add the syrup slowly while stirring continuously. Then place the pan back on the heat and keep stirring until the syrup is fully absorbed by the mixture and the color darkens. Once it thickens, add the walnuts and mix until the halva gathers to one side of the pan.

Step Five
It takes about 5 minutes from adding the syrup until the halva comes together. Choose a small mold and transfer the halva into it, pressing it flat with a spoon. Then refrigerate for about 3 to 4 hours to cool. Finally, turn it out, cut it with a knife, and serve.