You may know granita served as a dessert or palate cleanser, but did you know it is actually part of a Sicilian breakfast? Lemon being the traditional flavor, it is served with local brioche bread roll (tuppo, pictured below). It is also served as a palate cleanser or enjoyed after meals.
If you’re looking for a traditional Sicilian dessert, Cannoli is another most recognized sweet treat or one that you may not know about is Chocolate Salami. Usually Italian granita is made from blended fruit, but sometimes almond, pistachio, coffee and chocolate are enjoyed. It is sweetened with sugar, then frozen and mixed in intervals just before completely freezing. The Sicilians do it a little differently than they do in Rome, which they call Grattachecca, this is hand-shaved ice.
For this recipe, you want the freshest, juiciest melons. See below how to pick a ripe melon. You can use any variety of your favorite melon, I chose cantaloupe and watermelon.
The lemon is not a predominant flavor in this melon granita. it just enhances the flavor of the melon used. Lime is also delicious with the watermelon.
This weight is for the flesh only, after peeling and seeding
