WATERMELON AND ORANGE FLOWER WATER GRANITA
Ready to beat the heat? Give this very easy and gorgeous watermelon with orange flower water granita recipe a try!
A Refreshing Summer Treat: Watermelon and Orange flower water Granita
As the temperatures rise and the sun beats down, there is nothing quite as satisfying as a refreshing summer treat. And when it comes to beating the heat, nothing quite compares to a delicious granita. Whether served as a starter in the traditional Sicilian style, or enjoyed as a refreshing end to a meal, this watermelon and orange flower water granita is a must-try.
In the South of France, where summers can be hot and steamy, granitas are a common fixture on menus. The icy, slushy texture of this dessert is the perfect antidote to sweltering temperatures. And while the basic recipe is simple, the possibilities for customisation are endless.
For this recipe, I have combined two delightful and summery flavours: watermelon and orange flower water. The result is a stunningly refreshing dessert that is perfect for a summer soirée, a poolside party or even just a lazy afternoon in the garden.
A Brief History of Granita
Granita is a semi-frozen dessert that originated in the island of Sicily. Its origins can be traced back to the Arab domination of Sicily, which lasted from the 9th to the 11th century. During this time, the Arabs brought over the recipe for sherbet, a drink made with fruit juice flavoured with rose water and then iced.
Granita’s Ancient Roots
However, the tradition of granita goes even further back in time, to ancient Mesopotamia, where it is believed that a similar dessert was consumed more than 4,000 years ago.
The Making of Granita
The basic recipe for granita is simple: sugar, water, and various flavourings. In Sicily, snow collected on mountains like Etna was stored in stony ice-stores built on natural caves called nivieri and used to make granita. Today, machines are used to shave the ice, but the traditional method of freezing the mixture on a tray and scraping it with a fork is still popular.
A Personal Touch
For me, the combination of watermelon and orange flower water is pure heaven. The sweetness of the watermelon is perfectly complemented by the delicate floral notes of the orange blossom. And while it may seem like an unusual pairing, the two flavours work together beautifully.
And best of all, it is incredibly easy to make. So why not give it a try and impress your guests at your next summer gathering? Trust me, they will be asking for the recipe!
Treat yourself to a refreshing watermelon
You may wish to try these recipes with the gorgeous Cucurbitaceae :
A watermelon salad or a watermelon pizza with truffle oil!
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 ;)
WATERMELON AND ORANGE FLOWER WATER GRANITA
Ingredients
- half a watermelon with no seeds
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 4 tbsp orange flower water
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Blitz smooth all the ingredients with a hand blender until purée consistency.
- Put the preparation in a freezer-proof container.
- Set aside in the freezer for 2-3 hours.
- Stir every 30 minutes with a fork.
- Take the granita out of the freezer 10 minutes before serving.
