Food Friday: Dragon Fruit Granita

Food Friday: Dragon Fruit Granita

Posted on 05. Jun, 2009 by Jason in food

As summer starts to heat up across the US, it’s nice to have a cold, refreshing treat. And with the economy the way it is, a homemade granita fits the bill perfectly.

Granita:
a frozen dessert  made of sugar, water, and flavorings or fruit.  It has a texture similar to a snow cone.  Originating in Sicily.

I’ve made some delicious granita before with watermelon, rhubarb or espresso, but since we’re in Thailand, I thought I’d try something more exotic.  Enter the Dragon… well, fruit anyway. This wacky looking fruit has very subtle flavours (a nice way of saying bland), so I thought it would be perfect to spruce up as a granita!

Recipe:

1 Dragonfruit
1 Lime
4 Teaspoons Sugar
4 Tablespoons Water

I used dragonfruit, but a granita can be made with practically any fruit, fruit juice, or liquid.  It would take an effort to mess up.  Just experiment!

The Dragon Fruit in all it's... wierdness

The Dragon Fruit in all it's... weirdness.

A cross-section of the fruit

A cross-section of the fruit, with a texture like a kiwi. But not juicy.

Scoop out the inside. It's soft enough to do it with a spoon. Set the shell aside.

Scoop the inside into a blender. It's soft enough to do it with a spoon. Set the shell aside.

Squeeze the juice of 1 lime into the blender.

Squeeze the juice of 1 lime into the blender.

pour in the sugar-water mixture (I used turbino raw sugar if you're wondering about the colour)

Boil water and mix with sugar, creating a simple syrup. Pour in the sugar-water mixture (I used turbino raw sugar if you're wondering about the colour).

After blending the mixture, pour it into a shallow pan (if you're like me though, use a cut up plastic jug!)

After blending, pour the mixture into a shallow pan (if you're like me though, use a cut up plastic jug!).

Set in the freezer and wait. I know it's hot out, but you still have to wait.

Set in the freezer and wait. I know it's hot out, but you still have to wait.

Every 20-40 minutes, take a fork and stir the mixture, breaking up any icy clumps. As it hardens, make sure to "fluff" it with the fork and not pack it down.

Every 20-40 minutes, take a fork and stir the mixture, breaking up any icy clumps. As it hardens, make sure to "fluff" it with the fork and not pack it down.

Once the mixture looks dry, airy and light, scoop into the reserved shell and serve with a garnish of lime.

Once the mixture looks dry, airy and light, (aprox. 4-6 hours) scoop into the reserved shell and serve with a garnish of lime. Bon appétit!

Enjoy the Summer.

Enjoy the Summer.

What’s your favourite Summer treat?

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4 Responses to “Food Friday: Dragon Fruit Granita”

  1. Lisa

    05. Jun, 2009

    Love the presentation! The hot pink sure makes it pretty!

    Lisa´s last blog post..I’m SO Proud!

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  2. Laura Carney

    05. Jun, 2009

    VERY impressive! I will show my hubby and maybe he will get inspired to make something similar for his pregnant wife ;)

    Reply to this comment

  3. Brad Ruggles

    05. Jun, 2009

    Dude, that looks SOOO tasty! Especially when it’s so hot outside (I know, I know…our heat is nothing compared to YOUR heat there in Thailand but still…)

    Nice recipe and pics.

    Brad Ruggles´s last blog post..Having Kids Alters Men’s Brains

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  4. Rene

    06. Jun, 2009

    Great presentation for such an easy but elegant treat!. Good job, my foodie friend!

    Reply to this comment

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