In Somalia and the Horn region, xalwo is a sweet dish served at Eid banquets.
Xalwo, also spelled halwo, is a popular Somali confection associated with special occasions such as Eid celebrations and weddings. It is particularly linked with Benadiri culinary traditions and is served as part of the generous hospitality that surrounds holiday visits and large family meals.
The sweet is made by cooking sugar with cornstarch, ghee and spices until it becomes thick and glossy. Cardamom and nutmeg are characteristic flavorings, while peanuts may be added for texture. The result is chewy and rich, with a fragrant spice profile. Despite the similar name, Somali xalwo should not automatically be treated as the same dessert as the better-known South Asian or Middle Eastern halva; recipes and textures vary widely across regions.
Eid food traditions in Somalia include more than one sweet. Buskut, a Somali-style biscuit, may also be served, as can other pastries and confections such as shushumow or coconut-based gashaato. Xalwo is nevertheless the most specific answer to this question because it is explicitly identified with Eid celebrations in Somali cuisine and with festive banquets across Somalia and parts of the Horn region.