A granita is a refreshing frozen dessert originating from the island of Sicily. It is a simple combination of water, sugar, and a flavoring. While traditionally a granita includes flavors common to the Mediterranean, such as citrus fruits and coffee, there is a lot of room for experimentation.
This recipe came about mostly by accident: a pear, a few limes, and some mint leaves were just about the only foods in my fridge, and I was looking for a way to put them to use. While not the most obvious pairing, the combination works well. The key is using D’Anjou pears. These pears are slightly sweet with a citrusy flavor that complements the tartness of the lime, and the mint gives the granita a lovely freshness. This Pear Lime Mint Granita is the perfect treat on a hot summer day!
Pear Lime Mint Granita
Equipment
- High-speed blender
- Cheese cloth or fine-mesh sieve
- 8×8 metal pan
- Fork
Ingredients
- 2 D'Anjou Pears cut into cubes
- 1 cup Lime juice (about 6 large limes)
- 2 Tbs Lime zest
- ¾ cup Evaporated cane sugar
- 10 Mint leaves
- 2 cups Water
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the blender. Blend on medium-high speed until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through the cheese cloth or fine-mesh sieve.
- Pour the strained liquid into the 8×8 metal pan. Place the pan in the freezer.
- Every two hours, remove the pan and stir the mixture with a fork, breaking up any large chunks of ice. Return the pan to the freezer. Continue until the mixture is frozen solid (about 6 hours).
