Halva de Floarea Soarelui
(Sunflower Seed Paste Halva) Recipe

Origin: Romania      Period: Traditional

Ingredients

This is a classic Romanian form of Halva (Halawa) that can be plain, can contain pistachio nuts (as here) or almonds or chocolate.

280g sugar
100ml water
100g unsalted pistachio nuts, toasted
340g sunflower seed paste

Halva de Floarea Soarelui
(Sunflower Seed Paste Halva) Preparation:

Method:

If you cannot get sunflower seeds paste then buy sunflower seeds from your health food store. Hull these and add the seeds to a food processor. Process to a paste, adding just enough sunflower seed oil to make the paste pliable (think tahini).

Beat the sunflower seed paste in a large bowl until smooth then set aside. In the meantime, combine the sugar and water in a pan and bring to a boil. Continue boiling until the mixture reaches 125°C (between the Hard Ball stage and the Soft Crack stage). Add the pistachios at this stage and stir to combine.

Take the pan off the heat and gradually beat the syrup mixture into the sunflower seed paste, whisking constantly. Continue beating briskly until the mixture begins to set then press the mixture into the base of an oiled cake tin lined with greaseproof paper. Place in the refrigerator and leave to set for 24 hours.

Remove from the refrigerator, take out of the tin and cut into squares with a sharp knife whilst still cold.

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