Lemon Gelato

Lemon gelato is a classic refreshing and delicious treat. Here is a basic recipe that you can follow to make homemade lemon gelato.

Ingredients

• 250 ml of fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons, depending on the size)
• Grated zest of 2 lemons
• 200 g of granulated sugar
• 500 ml of whole milk
• 250 ml of fresh cream
• 4 egg yolks

Preparation

1. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is light and frothy.
2. In a saucepan, heat the milk until it’s almost boiling, then remove it from the heat.
3. Slowly pour the hot milk over the whipped yolks, stirring continuously to temper the eggs without cooking them.
4. Put the mixture back on low heat and cook, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly. It should never boil. This is called crème anglaise.
5. Once the cream reaches the desired consistency, remove it from heat and let it cool completely.
6. Add the lemon juice and grated zest to the cooled crème anglaise, mixing well.
7. In a separate bowl, whip the cream until it is semi-whipped and then gently fold it into the lemon mixture.
8. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to churn the gelato. If you do not have an ice cream maker, put the mixture in a freezer-safe container and stir every 30-40 minutes to break up the ice crystals until the gelato is the desired consistency.
9. Once ready, transfer the gelato to an appropriate container and put it in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours before serving.

Curiosità

Lemon gelato, with its tangy and refreshing note, is part of the tradition of citrus ice creams that are especially loved during the hot summer days. In Italy, particularly in the southern regions, lemons are a staple and their presence is often dominant in many desserts and ice creams.

Happy preparing and, most importantly, enjoy your gelato!