Strawberry Granita

I can provide you with the recipe for strawberry granita, a delicious Sicilian sweet specialty. Perfect to cool off during the hot summer days, it is made with a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh strawberries
• 150 g of granulated sugar (or to taste, according to your preferences)
• 250 ml of water
• Juice of 1 lemon

Preparation

1. Thoroughly wash the strawberries, remove the stems, and cut them into small pieces.
2. Prepare a syrup by heating water with the sugar in a small pot. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. There’s no need to bring it to a boil. Let it cool completely.
3. In a blender, combine the strawberries, the cooled syrup, and the lemon juice. Blend everything until you have a smooth mixture.
4. Strain the mixture to remove the strawberry seeds using a fine mesh sieve.
5. Pour the liquid into a wide, shallow container, and then put it in the freezer.
6. Every 30-40 minutes, break up the ice crystals that form with a fork, repeating the process for about 3-4 hours until the granita has the desired consistency.
7. Serve in glasses or cups, optionally accompanied by whipped cream or a mint leaf for decoration.

Curiosity

The Sicilian granita is appreciated for its particular consistency which differs from sorbets and popsicles by its “grainy” texture, hence the name “granita”. Every Sicilian city has its own variation, and in Catania, for example, it is customary to pair it with a soft and sugary brioche.

Italian twists on non-Italian dishes are possible: if you’re interested in an alternative to a summer dessert from another tradition, I am at your disposal to suggest an “Italian twist”!