Watermelon Lime Granita
Watermelon blended with lime juice and a small amount of honey, then frozen and raked into icy flakes with a fork. The result is light, refreshing, and easy to eat in small amounts. No moulds, no special equipment - just a shallow pan and a fork. Stores in the freezer for up to two weeks, so one session of prep covers many days.
Ingredients
Ingredient notes:
- Watermelon - Seedless is easier to work with and blends more cleanly. The watermelon should be ripe - a pale, under-ripe watermelon produces a flat-tasting granita. Taste it first.
- Lime juice - Fresh lime only. Bottled lime juice is sharper and less bright. Two limes give you roughly 3 tablespoons.
- Honey - A small amount to round out the flavor. Adjust to taste depending on how sweet your watermelon is - a very sweet watermelon may need less.
Recipe Instructions
- Blend - Add watermelon, lime juice, and honey to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
- Pour - Pour the blended mixture into a shallow baking dish or metal pan. A 9x13 inch pan works well - a larger surface area means faster freezing.
- Freeze and rake - Place in the freezer. Every 30 minutes for 2-3 hours, use a fork to scrape and rake the mixture into icy flakes. Don't skip the raking - without it you'll end up with a solid block rather than a granita.
- Serve - Scoop into small bowls or glasses. Add fresh mint if using. Eat immediately.
- Store - After the final rake, cover tightly and store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Rake briefly before serving if it has hardened between sittings.
Recipe notes:
On the raking Raking every 30 minutes creates the right flaky texture. If you miss a window and it freezes more solidly, scrape with more force and rake thoroughly - it will still come together.
Portion size This is a light, low-calorie option. A small portion is appropriate on low-appetite days - you don't need to eat the full serving if half is enough.
Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size: 2/3 cup
| Per serving | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 60 |
| Protein | 1g |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrate | 14g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sugars | 12g |
| Sodium | 5mg |
Based on 6 cups cubed watermelon, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1 tbsp honey. Natural sugar content will vary depending on watermelon ripeness. Nutritional information is estimated and provided for general guidance.