Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Almond Granita: A True Taste of Sicilian Summer
Dive into the refreshing Sicilian almond granita – a perfect summer treat for any occasion!
🛒 Ingredients
- ✓ 300g peeled almonds
- ✓ 250g sugar
- ✓ 1 vial of almond flavouring
- ✓ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ✓ 650ml water
📊 Nutritional Information
If you fancy a little sip of Sicily, nothing quite compares to a glass of almond granita. Sweet, cool, and wonderfully fragrant, it’s spot on for a light summer breakfast alongside the classic brioche col tuppo, or a delicate dessert after lunch. The almond flavour carries you straight to the blossoming almond groves of the island, capturing the gentle simplicity of traditional Sicilian recipes.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Pop the peeled almonds and sugar into a food processor and blitz until you get a fine almond meal.
- 2
Stir in the almond flavouring and vanilla extract, mixing well.
- 3
Make a syrup by dissolving 50g sugar in 50ml water over a medium heat, then add this syrup to your almond mixture and blitz again.
- 4
Line a mould with clingfilm and pour in the mixture, pressing it down gently with a spoon. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours to set.
- 5
Take 300g of the set almond block and place it in a bowl with 600ml water, then blitz with a hand blender until thick and smooth.
- 6
Strain the liquid through a fine sieve into a freezer-safe container.
- 7
Freeze for 2 hours, then stir vigorously with a fork to break up any ice crystals; repeat this every 30 minutes for 3 hours until you achieve the perfect slushy texture.
- 8
Serve your granita in glasses, scraping it with a fork and pairing it with a traditional Sicilian brioche topped bun.
💡 Tips and Variations
For an extra burst of aroma, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or some finely grated lemon zest. To make it creamier, stir in a tablespoon of almond milk before freezing.
📦 Storage
- • Keep your granita in the freezer for up to 3 days.
- • Give it a good stir before serving to restore the ideal texture.
- • Do not refreeze once thawed.
- • Store any leftover almond paste in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- • Always serve icy cold to best enjoy its fragrant freshness.
🍷 Pairing
Serve this almond granita alongside a glass of Malvasia from the Lipari Islands – its floral notes beautifully complement the natural sweetness of the almonds.
I highly encourage you to try making this almond granita at home—it’s a beautifully simple way to bring a slice of Sicily to your kitchen. Perfect for warm summer days, it’s sure to become a favourite indulgence to share with family and friends. Give it a go, and let the flavours transport you to the sunny almond groves of Sicily!
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