Lemon Granita Recipe from Sicily
Since good lemon granita can be found just about everywhere in Sicily (see my post with tips on finding good granita), 
it would be rare for anyone in Sicily to make lemon granita at home. However, the rest of the world is not so fortunate, so when you crave lemon granita, try this recipe. It does not require any special equipment other than a blender or food processor.
While the texture may not be exactly like a Sicilian lemon granita, it will be close, and the taste sublime. This makes a refreshing treat on a hot summer’s day, or have it for breakfast, like a true Sicilian.
Lemon Granita Recipe
Ingredients:
1 qt (1 liter) water
¾ cup (150 gr) sugar
2/3 cup (150ml) lemon juice (4 lemons)
Zest of 4 organic lemons
Preparation:
Peel the zest from the lemons and set aside. Squeeze the lemons to make 2/3 cup (150 ml) lemon juice.
In a large non-reactive pot, heat the water with the sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer 2 minutes, stirring to make sure the sugar is dissolved. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes.
Strain the mixture into one or two non-reactive containers that will fit into your freezer. Let cool to room temperature, cover and freeze until partially frozen, which should take several hours. (If mixture become totally frozen, don’t worry- I realize you have a life and may not be hanging around checking the granita on an hourly basis.)
Take the partially or completely frozen granita out of the freezer and leave it at room temperature until you can break it up into hunks with a large spoon. Grind these hunks in a food processor or blender until it is the consistency of soft snow. Return to freezer until ready to serve. If it freezes too hard, let the granita sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then work the mixture with the back of a large metal spoon until soft.
Serve in glasses or small bowls garnished with lemon verbena or mint. Serves 4-6.
Another Sicilian summer refreshment:
Other posts about Sicily:
5 Responses to “ Lemon Granita Recipe from Sicily ”
Thank you for this fabulous recipe. I stumbled across your blog while doing a google search for lemon granita. I currently live at the foot of Mt. Etna and of course granita is so plentiful that I do not have to make it at home. But I wanted to know how and to try my hand at it nonetheless 
Thanks. As you said, there are no shortage of places to get lemon granita where you live. Do you have a favorite place near you or in Catania that you can recommend to our readers?
I want to eat, drink and swim Italy with you! Everything looks divine! Thank you for sharing the beautiful food and beautiful country!
Come on over, Davi!
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:42
[...] too far away from any place serving good lemon granita, you can try to make your own. Here is a recipe for lemon granita from Sicily. Home » Italian Food Traditions & Recipes, Stories of Life in Tuscany [...]