Clementine Granita Recipes

CLEMENTINE GRANITA

Steps:

• Slice the top 1/2 inch off each clementine; reserve. Cut around flesh and scoop out into a sieve set over a bowl; reserve skins and be careful not to tear them. Press flesh to extract juice. Squeeze in juice from tops. (You'll have about 1 cup.) Juice more clementines to yield 2 cups.
• Moisten clementine skins with some juice or water. Roll skins in 1/4 cup sugar to coat. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
• Bring remaining 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and ginger to a boil in a saucepan, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Let stand for 30 minutes; discard ginger. Stir in 2 cups juice and the lemon juice; transfer to a nonreactive 8-inch square baking dish. Freeze until solid, about 3 hours.
• Scrape granita with a fork to fluff. Spoon granita into clementine "cups." Freeze for 10 minutes before serving.

CLEMENTINE-GINGER GRANITA

Steps:

• Slice top 1/2 inch off 12 clementines; reserve. Cut around flesh and scoop out into a sieve set over a bowl; reserve skins, being careful not to tear them. Press flesh to extract juice. Squeeze in juice from tops. (You'll have about 1 cup.) Halve and juice remaining clementines (to yield 2 cups).
• Bring 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and ginger to a boil in a pan, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; let stand 30 minutes. Discard ginger. Stir in clementine and lemon juices; transfer to a nonreactive 8-inch square baking dish. Freeze until solid, about 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, brush clementine skins with water. Roll in remaining 1/4 cup sugar to coat. Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
• Scrape granita with a fork to fluff. Spoon granita into clementine "cups." Freeze 10 minutes before serving.

AUTHENTIC SICILIAN GRANITA AL LIMONE

Steps:

• Pour water and sugar into a saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar melts; do not bring to a boil. Remove from heat when the sugar has completely dissolved and the water is no longer cloudy. Add lemon juice and stir until combined. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes.
• Pour into a freezer-safe dish that has a tight lid. Cover and put into the freezer until it begins to freeze around the edges, but is still slushy in the center, about 45 minutes.
• Lightly stir the crystals from the edge of the granita mixture into the center using a fork and mix thoroughly. Replace the lid. Close the freezer and chill until granita is nearly frozen, 30 to 40 more minutes.
• Mix lightly with a fork as before, scraping the crystals loose. Repeat freezing and stirring with the fork 3 to 4 times until crystals are separate and the granita is light, dry, and fluffy.
• Serve each portion with 1/2 of a lemon wheel and fresh lemon zest on top.