Watermelon is an essential summer fruit. If you are harvesting them from your garden right now, watermelon granita is a great way to preserve the flavor of summer before things cool down.
Watermelon granita (or any granita, really) is a slushy, refreshing way to enjoy fruits of all kinds. The technique is the same for all fruits, it just takes a little bit of time. Try this before summer ends (and we’re talking Solstice, not Labor Day).
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Watermelon Granita – Mark Bittman
Ingredients
- 1 pound watermelon
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- (optional) approx. 3/4 c water
![](https://gardenerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_1330-1024x768.jpg)
Method
- 1pound watermelon
- 2tablespoons sugar
- 2tablespoons lemon juice
Cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes and then freeze them on a cookie sheet until they are firm. Then transfer them to a plastic bag to store until you are ready to make the granita.
Put all the ingredients into the blender (except water) and puree the mixture until it liquefies.
NOTE: In a high-speed blender like Vitamix, the blender doesn’t like mixing things without liquid. So ours just seized up. Add some water to facilitate easy mixing (many recipes do).
![](https://gardenerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_1333-1024x768.jpg)
Next, spread the blended mixture into a glass casserole dish.
![](https://gardenerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_1334-1024x768.jpg)
Place the dish in the freezer and after 30 minutes use a fork to scrape the mixture to break up ice crystals. Repeat this process every 1/2 hour for 2 hours until the ice crystals don’t stick together anymore. It’s a science thing.
Transfer the mixture to serving bowls or containers for storage in the freezer.
![](https://gardenerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG_1343-1024x768.jpg)
Usually a granita is more slushy but the recipe didn’t work out that way for us. That’s why we recommend adding water to the mix for a more liquid consistency.
Still, it is delicious and doesn’t take up fridge space. We can enjoy watermelon flavor anytime! Try this one before they’re gone for the season.