By michael - April, 21st 2014

Granitas are a frozen dessert related to sorbet and Italian ice. The ice of a granita is in small granules, making this dessert the adult version of a snow cone or slushie. The dessert originally comes from Sicily, although they are common all over Italy. As with many Italian dishes, granitas vary tremendously by region. In some parts of the country, the texture is much smoother and more like sorbet, while in other places it is much chunkier.

Granita is Italian for “grain,” and the word “grainy” perfectly describes the texture of this style of Italian ice. We recommend scraping the granita with a fork just before serving.

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice or your favorite juice or fruit nectar

Instructions

1. Bring water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

2. Add juice and stir to combine.

3. Transfer mixture to an 8-inch square cake pan or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to avoid spills. Freeze. Scrape with a fork.

Per serving: 125 Calories, 0g Fat, 0 mg Cholesterol, 1mg Sodium, 32g Carbohydrate, 0g Fiber, 0.5g Protein

Nearly any juice or beverage that can be frozen can be turned into a granita. The basic granita recipe includes water, sugar, and a flavoring. Fruit juices or purees are two common choices. The most common granita flavors are coffee and lemon.

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