SICILIAN COFFEE GRANITA
Escape to Sicily and enjoy the sweetness of Sicilian summer with this easy-peasy and perfectly balanced coffee granita.
A Sicilian Coffee Granita: A Refreshing Revelation
A few years ago, I found myself in the beautiful island of Sicily, basking in the glorious summer sun with my mother. We were staying in her house in the charming village of Biancavilla, surrounded by vibrant colours, the Etna itself and stunning landscapes. It was on one particularly hot morning that I had my first taste of a Sicilian coffee granita, and it was a revelation.
A Taste of Sicilian Culture
Sicily is renowned for its rich culinary traditions, and coffee granita is a true testament to this. It is a staple in Sicilian cuisine, particularly during the scorching summer months. Granita has been a part of Sicilian culture for centuries, with the first written recipe dating back to the early 1700s. Originally, it was made with snow from Mount Etna, but today, it is made with ice, sugar, and flavoured with a variety of ingredients.
The Perfect Refreshment on a Hot Day
On that hot summer morning in Bianca villa, the granita was the perfect refreshment. The coffee granita was served in a tall glass, glistening with icy crystals, and topped with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a little brioche. The whipped cream added a touch of indulgence to the dish, complementing the bitter sweetness of the granita.
The Art of Eating a Coffee Granita
Eating a coffee granita in Sicily is a unique experience. It is traditionally served with a small, sweet brioche, which is used to scoop the granita into your mouth. The brioche provides a perfect balance to the granita’s bitterness, while the granita itself is the perfect icy complement to the warm, buttery brioche. Every spoonful was a heavenly delight, and it was no surprise that it is such a beloved dish in Sicily.
A Must-Try Delicacy
If you find yourself in Sicily during the summer months, trying a coffee granita is a must. The beauty of this marvel is that it can be enjoyed any time of the day, whether as a midday pick-me-up or as an after-dinner dessert. So, If you have the opportunity to try a coffee granita in Sicily, do not pass it up – it is truly a must-try delicacy.
Fall in love with Sicilian cuisine
You may wish to discover these 2 authentic Sicilian recipes :
A granita di mandorla or pasta al pistacchio di Bronte!
Do not forget to leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! And if you have any variation of this recipe that you would like to share, I would love to hear it. Happy cooking and bonne dégustation!
Sixtine ;)
SICILIAN COFFEE GRANITA
Ingredients
- 250 ml water
- 70 g sugar
- 200 ml coffee
- 1 tbsp instant coffee
Instructions
- Prepare the coffee and dissolve the instant coffee in it. Set aside.
- In a little saucepan, bring to the boil the water and sugar for 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the coffee.
- Leave it to cool down and store it in the fridge.
- Transfer the preparation to a freezer-proof container and put it in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours.
- Stir every 30 minutes with a fork.
- Take the granita out of the freezer 10 minutes before serving.
- Put it in a glass and cover it with whipped cream if you wish.
- Serve the Sicilian way with a brioche.
