Sweetness of melon check
Very ripe melon may only need 40 g of sugar. The unfrozen mass may taste a little sweeter, because cold temperatures dampen the perception of sweetness.
Italian Recipe
Watermelon Granita with Lime
For the granita, watermelon pulp with a low core is pureed finely and frozen in a flat metal dish. Regular scraping with a fork produces the typical granular structure.
Total time
4 hr 15 min
Calories
105 kcal
Servings
6 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Why this recipe works
Loose granita instead of a solid block of ice
Sugar lowers the freezing point and keeps the crystals spoonable, lime balances out the sweetness of ripe melon. Crucial is a large, flat bowl: the mass freezes more evenly and can be loosened from the edge to the middle. Four scraping passes result in a fine, but still noticeable grain.
Summer Recipes
Italian Recipes
Fruit
Recipe
Watermelon Granita with Lime
Watermelon granita does not need an ice machine. Lime, a light sugar syrup and repeated scratching turn melon into loose, refreshing ice crystals.
Ingredients
6 servings
Method
-
1
Boil light syrup
Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove the syrup from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
-
2
Puree melon
Dice watermelon and puree finely. Grate the lime zest, squeeze out both limes and mix the juice, grate, salt and the cooled syrup into the puree.
-
3
Freeze the mass
Pour the puree into a shallow metal bowl, no more than 2 cm high, and freeze horizontally for 60 minutes.
-
4
Multiple loosening of crystals
Scrape frozen edges with a fork towards the centre. Repeat this process every 30 to 40 minutes three more times until even ice crystals are formed.
-
5
Serve granita
Pre-cool glasses briefly. Scrape the granita again vigorously immediately before serving, fill in loosely and garnish with mint if desired.
Kitchen know-how
Tips for Watermelon Granita with Lime
Freeze flat
In a metal bowl, the mass freezes faster than in glass or ceramics. A thin layer facilitates regular scratching.
Variations
How to adapt this recipe
Pour two tablespoons of granita into glasses and pour chilled mineral water over them immediately before drinking.
Replace 250 g of watermelon with cleaned strawberries. Mash both fruits together and strain through a sieve if necessary.
Nutrition per serving
105kcal
25.0 gCarbohydrates
1.0 gProtein
0.0 gFat
Values are estimates and may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, portion size and preparation method used.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about Watermelon Granita with Lime
The mixture was filled too deep or not scraped often enough during freezing. Let it defrost briefly and work it back into granular form with a stable fork.
Airtight, it will keep in the freezer for about a week. Defrost for 10 minutes before serving and scrape again.
Without sugar, the granita freezes harder and tastes less aromatic. If the melon is very sweet, you can reduce the amount, but you should use a little syrup.
A wide, flat stainless steel mould is ideal. It conducts cold quickly and provides enough surface to scrape the crystals off the edge.
Keep cooking