Are you tired of watermelon yet? I’m not, can never get enough during the summer. But when it is just two people in a house buying large food items means having to be creative with ways of using up the food. Wasting or throwing out food is not an option, there is no good reason for discarding perfectly edible food. As our mothers always told us there are children starving all over the world. That is something that is something I try to be mindful of, after all Waste not want not!
Watermelons are huge and even buying just a half or quarter can sometimes be too much for a small family. This recipe is a fantastic way of using extra watermelon before it losses its flavors and needs to be thrown out. Of course it can also be made with watermelon bought for the sole purpose of this refreshing summer treat.
What is a Granita you ask? Granita is an Italian semi-frozen dessert made from water, different flavorings, and sweetened with sugar. Think a slushy or sorbet. Flavors vary intensely and pretty much this is the perfect treat to experiment with. Just like a sorbet can be served as a way of cleansing the palette after a meal so can a granita. If you don’t have an ice cream maker than granita is perfect for helping you keep cool this summer. Enjoy!
Watermelon Strawberry Granita
360 grams or 3/4 lb. of watermelon (weight after skin & rind removed)
250 or 1/2 lb. strawberries, stem removed
1 medium orange
pinch of salt
118 ml or 1/2 cup water
55 gm or 1/4 cup brown sugar, can adjust to taste
decorate with red currants, optional
1. In a sauce pan mix the water and sugar and cook over low heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Set aside.
2.Wash and prepare the fruit by removing the stems and green rind off the watermelon, then juice the orange. Place the fruit and juice inside a blender with a pinch of salt. Purree until all the fruit has completly broken down.
3. Place the seive over the freezer safe container and pour the fruit puree through the seive. Using the back of a spoon swril around to help most of the pulp pass through. The seeds and a bit of the pulp will be left over, remove the seive then place the continer in the freezer. Freeze the mixture for at least 4 hours before serving, stirring every 30 minutes.
Other Great Granita Recipes:
∼ Espresso Granita Affogato Recipe, David Levobitz
∼ Summertime Simplicity: Lime & Rosemary Granita, Tasty Trix
∼ Italian Lemon Ice, SP Cookie Queen’s Daughter
∼ Berry Lemongrass Granita, Healthy Green Kitchen
∼ Champagne & White Mulberry Granita, Beth Mitchell
∼ Chill With Mango Granita, Taste Junction
I need to start making granita's because this ice cream making I have been doing lately isn't too easy on the hips :) Thanks for sharing this recipe. I need to tackle a granita next and this looks fantastic!
What a gorgeous red granita! It is so hot out, I could use a cup of this right now.
Cool! Looks so pretty!!
@Amy, Yes that is an unfortunate thing about ice cream but a granita is just as satisfying. Not to mention cooling. I hope you do try it out.
@Jeanette, Thank you!
@Ann, Thanks!
I'm mad about watermelons and can't have enough of it. It is nice to have something frozen that doesn't have fattening cream in it. Love the mix of fruits.
Wow this granita looks fantastic!! I'm definitely trying this soon, especially with all this heat we're having!
Beautiful! This just sound refreshing and delicious, and oh so pretty!
What a great use of watermelon! I love the bright, beautiful color!
Summer perfection. Lovely photos.
Those are like my two favorite granita flavors in the world! I love how you combined them! I should let go of my fear of making granita and go for this!
Are those red curranta?
Thank you everyone for your sweet comments:)
@Michelle, Yes the little berries are red currants.
YUMMM
I love this granita Nancy! The watermelons are plentiful and sweet, will have to make this recipe soon;-)
Your photos are always stunning! What a gorgeous granita…perfect for these sultry days~
Oh, My! Delicious and refreshing…your pictures are mouthwatering!
Absolutely gorgeous, Nancy! Everything about this post is beautiful – the flavors, the pictures, the presentation! Love it! Thanks for sharing this recipe :)
beautiful granita Nancy lovely colours
I am not tired of watermelons at all, I can eat them all day and everyday:)) This is just beautiful and tasty recipe! Your pictures are like from the magazine!
beautiful clicks…
Looks delicious and lovely pics
I've made TWO granitas this summer and I can't get enough! Such a great way to cool off!
What a pop of color! You have such an artistic eye in your photos. I made some honeydew melon sorbet, will try this delicious watermelon granita when things heat up out here!
What a stunning and colorful granita…Summer :)
I sure wish I could eat strawberries. This sounds delicious.
Very original granita. Thanks a lot.