Last Saturday the Xagħra Fig Festival lit up the village square, with one of the highlights being the national record for the largest ‘Ħelwa tat-Tork’ (translated to ‘Turk’s sweet’, otherwise known as Maltese Halva) containing figs that was ever made on the Maltese islands.

Malta Records posted that this ‘Ħelwa tat-Tork’ measured a length of 57cm, width of 37cm and height of 43.5cm.

This traditional local sweet was most likely imported to our islands while Malta was under the Arab rule. Since then, it has become a staple end to big meals, weddings and feast celebrations.

It is a sweet treat made from sugar and tahini with a crumbly yet soft texture, and can be classified as the Maltese version of Halva, the dessert originating from Persia and widely spread throughout the Middle East and South Asia.

Are you a fan of ‘Ħelwa tat-Tork’?