easy melon granita (italian ice!)

Italian lesson of the day: granita (grah-nee-tah), like an Italian slush puppy, similar to the American Italian Ice, but fluffier (?) and more slurpee-like, except the flavors are real. For a euro, you can get a little granita on the beach after lunch (I like lemon the best, mint coming in at a close second) and it has to be the most refreshing ice-beverage when the temps hit 40 degrees Celsius (a lot) and the only thing you can do to stay sane is hide under the umbrella and spritz yourself with icy water. (Basically my beach regimen in Italy.)
Here, though, it's an amazing 84 degrees and cloudy and I don't even need a granita, but they're just so fun to eat, that I couldn't resist.

[not there yet, keep stirring!]

Melon Granita
(based on this recipe, makes about 6 cups)
1/2 melon (about 1 pound)
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 lemon, juiced
Cube the melon and purèe in a blender. Add the sugar to the warm water and stir until dissolved, add to the melon mixture. Add in the lemon juice and blend. Pour into a metal pan or bowl and freeze. Every 30 minutes or so, stir the mixture up with a fork so the ice doesn’t harden in a block, but rather as crystals. After about 2 hours it will be at a slushy consistency, serve immediately with more melon to garnish.

I love this. As a person who needs dessert multiple times a day, it totally hits the spot after lunch (and snacks and dinner.) Plus, you can substitute practically any summery fruit. Happy granita-ing!

P.S. For another fun melon recipe, try this melon agua fresca.