Granita
User Reviews
5
Granita
Description
Granita is crafted by blending fruit with lime juice, sugar, and a bit of salt, then freezing the mixture in stages. The repeated scraping every 30 minutes helps create a crystalline, flaky texture distinct from a smooth sorbet or ice cream. This method enhances the refreshing quality of the dessert, making it perfect for warm days.
The chosen fruit greatly influences the texture; for example, peaches produce a thicker puree, while watermelon yields a lighter base. Lime juice contributes a tart, fresh acidity, balancing the natural sweetness of the fruit. The granulated sugar and salt round out the flavors.
To serve, granita is scooped into bowls and garnished with minced fresh mint, which adds a cooling aroma and a subtle herbal flavor. This dessert pairs well as a palate cleanser between courses or as a light, invigorating finish to summer meals.
Because of varying fruit consistencies, adding a little water to the puree can help achieve the ideal thickness for freezing. Granita can be prepared up to a week in advance and stored in the freezer; scraping with a fork before serving helps restore its characteristic texture.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fruit cubed, such as peaches, strawberries, or watermelon (about 1 1/2 pounds, see note 1)
- 1/4 cup lime juice (see note 2)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- mint minced, for garnish, fresh
Instructions
- To a blender or a food processor, add cubed fruit, lime juice, sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.
- Transfer to a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish. Freeze until slushy, about 30 minutes.
- Remove granita from freezer and scrape with a fork. Return to freezer until edges begin to freeze, about 30 minutes more. Repeat every 30 minutes until mixture is frozen and flaky in texture, about 4 hours total.
- Scoop into bowls, garnish with mint and serve.
Notes
- If the fruit puree is too thick, add water to adjust the consistency before freezing.
- Lime juice can be substituted with lemon juice, orange juice, wine, or liquor for different flavor notes.
- This recipe yields about 6 cups, serving 8 portions of approximately 3/4 cup or 6 portions of 1 cup.
- Granita can be stored in the freezer for up to one week; scrape with a fork before serving to restore texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings (3/4 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 93 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.75cup | |
| Calories | 93kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.001g | 0% |
| Sodium | 42mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 114mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
| Vitamin A | 362IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 7mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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