Almond Granita

Here is the recipe to prepare a delicious almond granita.

Ingredients

• 1 liter of water
• 300 g of sugar
• 200 g of peeled almonds
• A few drops of bitter almond essence (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Pour the water into a saucepan and add the sugar. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let the syrup cool down.
2. Meanwhile, blanch the almonds in water for a few minutes. This will make it easier to peel them if they have not already been purchased peeled.
3. Finely grind the almonds in a blender or food processor, add some of the cold syrup to facilitate blending until a smooth paste is obtained.
4. Mix the almond paste with the rest of the cold syrup, adding a pinch of salt and possibly a few drops of bitter almond essence to intensify the flavor.
5. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the larger almond pieces and achieve a finer consistency.
6. Pour the liquid into a wide, shallow container and put it in the freezer.
7. Every 30-60 minutes, break up the ice crystals that form with a fork until a granular consistency typical of granita is obtained.
8. Continue the freezing and periodic stirring process until the granita is ready (this can take several hours).

Curiosity

Almond granita is a typical Sicilian delight, especially in the area of Messina, where tradition dictates that it is served with a warm brioche for breakfast during the hottest months. The almond matches perfectly with the climate and terroir of Sicily, and the granita brings out its sweet and slightly bitter taste, offering refreshment during the hot summer days.