As the temperatures continue to climb, I find myself craving the refreshing treats that remind me of the sweet summer months I’ve spent in Italy. Gelato and sorbetto will always have a special place in my heart, but their lesser lauded cousin, granita, deserves a moment, and here’s why. Hailing from Sicily, granita nails the perfect balance of the two, marrying the creaminess of gelato and the iciness of sorbetto. It’s simple, satisfying, and can be customized to anyone’s taste. Traditional granita siciliana flavors favor local and seasonal ingredients, including lemon, mulberry, pistachio, almond, and coffee, but almost any fruit or nut works well here.
Unlike gelato and sorbetto, granita is typically enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack and is often served alongside warm brioche and fresh panna, or whipped cream. The combination of icy, creamy, fruity, nutty elements is sure to send anyone into a state of bliss. Don’t believe me? Try this easy at-home recipe (no ice cream maker required) for a taste of summer in Sicily!
Mulberry Granita
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 cups mulberries, washed and hulled *
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
Juice from 1/2 of a lemon
Whipped cream to serve
Fresh mint to garnish
* Feel free to substitute any seasonal berry you’d like. Raspberries and blackberries work especially well!
Method:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine water and sugar to make a syrup. Cool.
Combine mulberries with lemon juice and blend. Add sugar syrup to the mulberry mixture.
Strain liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving the leftover seeds and skins for a jam or discard. Pour the strained liquid into a shallow dish and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for 2 hours.
Every 1/2 – 2 hours for about three hours, rake a fork through the mixture to stir up the ice crystals.
Before serving, remove from freezer and let sit on the counter for a few minutes. Take the fork and rake once more, gently fluffing as you go.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and mint for garnish.
Watch Stephanie Rizzolo cooking this delicious recipe on our Instagram account @lacucinaitalianausa - Instagram Stories / Highlights section #HomeCookingLCI