Minted Watermelon Granita


The stars don't always align when it comes to weather! I left a 108 degree heat wave to participate in Seattle's heatwave! One packs differently when traveling to Seattle...Seattle means cool weather, at least in the evening! So here I am with more jeans and long sleeves than I need!

The weather didn't stop our visit to Pike's Market. Yes, all tourists go there. No, my daughter didn't want to go. Yes, we went anyway. I had to see all of the flowers and the fresh vegetables. Just the displays are worth jostling among the thousands of folks in town who visited the same time as me!


The fruits and vegetables are so beautiful that making a selection is very difficult! How to rein in my desire to make everything was the question!


I love mushrooms...look at the morels!


I think something cool is in order....melons! Something like Minted Watermelon Granita!

In the August, 2009 edition of Food and Wine magazine, there was a recipe for Minted Watermelon Popsicles that my oldest daughter transformed into a Granita! This was simple and so refreshing! It hit the spot on a very warm afternoon. David Lebovitz recommends in a Pefect Scoop that a tablespoon of vodka or liqueur be added to ice cream to keep it from freezing solid. She applied this suggestion to the granita.

Minted Watermelon Granita
1 1/2 pounds seedless watermelon without the rind, cut into 1-inch dice (about 4 cups)
2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup mint leaves, minced
2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
Pinch of salt
1 Tbsp vodka

In a blender, puree the watermelon with the sugar until smooth. Stir in the mint, lemon zest, vodka and salt. Pour the puree into a container. About every hour while freezing (this takes about three hours) take out the granita and scrape it with a fork to keep it broken up. If there is any remaining, it is easily kept in the freezer. After being in the freezer over night it was necessary to let it sit on the counter to soften just a bit.

PRINTABLE RECIPE


This is a great low calorie snack or dessert! It made it much easier to walk past the ice cream stores!



Comments

  1. I adore Pike's Market! I really need to get back up to Seattle sometime soon!

    Your Granita look oh so yummy!

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  2. Seattle is such a great place to visit, especially Pike Market. Watermelon is one of my favorite summer treats. One tablespoon of vodka...more please. I would like it slushy so I could slurp it through a straw.

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  3. Thank you for the tour of the market..love the photos!

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  4. Kate I didn't know you were going to be in the area! So sorry you picked this week. It's been awful. Your granita sure does look tasty. Pikes Place Market may be a tourist attraction, but its also a place that locals love! I jump at the excuse to drive up to Seattle (30 miles away) and stroll through the stalls when company comes to town.

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