The making of Omani halwa at Souk Al Arsa in the Heart of Sharjah

Описание: Whilst sitting in my office in Souk Al Arsa the sweet aroma of halwa cooking often reaches me during the week. The smell is distinctive & memorising, which prompted me to explore the Omani sweet factory located at the end of the souk. Halwa is a traditional sweet that is a famous symbol of Arabian hospitality. It is usually served with Arabic coffee on special occasions such as weddings & Eid.
The making of halwa is time consuming (over 2 hours) & there is a craft in the making of this delicious traditional sweet. There are variations in the recipe for this sugary treat. Traditionally it was cooked over a smokeless wood fire but nowadays over gas in a huge copper pot called mirjnl.
Sugar is added to boiling water which creates a caramel. It bubbles & almost dances from one side of the copper pot to the other, as the skilled halwa maker constantly stirs it with a large paddle like spoon called boustan. It's movement creates a noise as it hits the sides. Beaten eggs are added followed by starch (cornflour) which helps thicken the mixture. During the process ghee (clarified butter) is added to stop the halwa sticking to the pot. Then amounts of sweet smelling rose water & saffron are ladled in. Cardamom (hail) is added & cashew nuts/ almonds. The halwa is then placed in pots ready to be sold. This unique sweet is definitely worth trying. So come and explore the Heart of Sharjah, home of culture & art. Umm Hind