It's summer! And that means... more summery treats on their way to The Dimpled Date! One of the first more summer-esque offerings is this refreshing Watermelon frozen treat that's somewhere between Italian Ice and Granita (granita is essentially a fancy snow cone that originated in Italy). For the sake of not repeating this, I will just refer to this as "granita." This watermelon granita is made with only 3 ingredients, all of which are fruit. Therefore, this granita is naturally raw, vegan, paleo, fruit-sweetened, nut-free, coconut-free, and oil-free. And it's as simple as blending all ingredients in a food processor/blender for not even 5 minutes. Legit. Treat yourself to this cooling summer treat that will help you beat the heat!
I'm on an Italian treats kick rn while my parents are on vacation in Italy. Out of green-eyed jealousy, I've decided to bring a little slice of Italy to my kitchen and have been experimenting with all sorts of Italian-inspired desserts, such as vegan Coffee & Cookies Affogato, Italian macarons, and even an Italia Cube Cake... but more on that soon ;)
This Watermelon Granita recipe has to be the simplest recipe on The Dimpled Date, and trust me when I say despite this it doesn't sacrifice on flavor. Love watermelon? Love Italian ice? Then this is a must-try.
This granita is 100% raw, vegan, paleo, gluten-free, fruit-sweetened, nut-free, coconut-free, oil-free, and all-the-things-free because it's literally made with just 3 different kinds of fruit! It has a really nice texture- think granita but creamier and smoother, and it has a delightfully clean and refreshing flavor, the perfect cooling treat for summer.
If other recipes on The Dimpled Date are not as feasible for you in terms of time it takes to make them, difficulty, or the ingredients are too expensive, then this recipe is for you. This granita is made with just watermelon, frozen banana, and lime juice. It's as simple as blending everything in a food processor for less than 5 minutes, then it's ready to serve! And that pink-y, coral color is just stunning!
Wanna see some other recipes I've been working on? Read on!
Below is one of my newest creations: Coffee & Cookies Affogato!! (A scoop of vegan/refined sugar free coffee & cookies ice cream with a mocha shot and an (optional) splash of amaretto poured overtop! Boy oh boy, this might just be one of the best desserts I've ever made!).
And this is another summertime delight on its way to The Dimpled Date soon: Spirulina Coconut Lime Overnight Oats!
And finally, one of my personal new faves: 100% Date-Sweetened Dalgona Matcha (w/ matcha syrup)!
Stay tuned for these INCREDIBLE recipes and more!!
Back to the granita:
Substitutions
The substitutions this time around are easy because of this 3-ingredient recipe (YAY!). Instead using fresh watermelon and freezing it yourself, you can buy frozen watermelon from the store (just make sure it's unsweetened and just made with watermelon). Alternatively, for a different flavor nice cream/granita, you could use your frozen fruit of choice, such as frozen mango, frozen pineapple, frozen dragon fruit, frozen prickly pear, frozen strawberries, frozen cherries, really whatever your heart desires! However the water content and solidity of these different frozen fruits varies drastically, so if you are having trouble blending the nice cream/granita try adding a little filtered water OR unsweetened plant milk 1 Tbsp at a time until it is able to blend. For replacing the banana, you can use 1/2 cup dates soaked in hot water for 20 minutes OR 1 cup frozen strawberries OR a little of your sweetener of choice, such as 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup OR 1 Tbsp agave OR 1 Tbsp honey (if not strictly vegan) OR 1 tsp maple sugar OR pure liquid monk fruit extract to taste, plus more of any of these sweeteners to taste. Alternatively, you can omit the banana and leave out the extra sweetener, and just use the watermelon and lime juice. This option is perfect if you're keto, as watermelon and lime juice are relatively low-carb and low-sugar fruits!
Instead of the lime juice, you could try lemon juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, OR your unsweetened fruit juice of choice, although I think lime pairs best with the watermelon. Or, you could omit the lime juice to keep this granita as more of a simple watermelon frozen treat. If you're having trouble blending without the lime juice, add 2 Tbsp water OR unsweetened plant milk and you shouldn't have an issue blending up this granita. The lime zest is optional, but you can replace it with lemon zest, orange zest, OR grapefruit zest.
For other flavors and add-ins, you could try using a little coconut extract (start w/ 1/4 tsp and add more 1/8 tsp at a time to taste), 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, 1/8 tsp rose water, unsweetened coconut flakes, chunks/balls of watermelon folded into the granita, and/or even a splash of vegan/GF booze, such as rum, tequila, mezcal, or whatever you wish to make this granita into boozy slushies/boozy snow cones!
Syrups would also lend themselves really nice as a topping on this granita. Think fruity and floral simple syrups, agave syrup, maple syrup, etc. Have fun with mixing and matching different flavors with this granita!
Come for the Recipes, Stay for the Updates
Stay tuned for the latest updates with Dimpled Date recipes just in time for summer! Have a summer-y recipe you want to see here? Let me know in the comments! Tried this recipe and liked it? Give it a like, and let everyone know in the comments!
For now, Happy Summer and...
Enjoy! <3
-K.
Watermelon Granita/Italian Ice (3-ingredient!) (Raw, Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Fruit-Sweetened, Nut-Free, Coconut-Free, Oil-Free)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chill Time (optional): at least 15 to 30 minutes (for a firmer texture)
Total Time: at most 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (depending on how generous you are)
Ingredients:
-2 cups fresh watermelon, cubed and frozen for at least 8 hours (can sub store-bought unsweetened already-frozen watermelon)
-1 ripe banana, halved and frozen for at least 8 hours
-juice of half a lime
-1/2 tsp lime zest (optional)
Directions:
1. Ensure that the watermelon and banana have been frozen at least 8 hours or preferably overnight. Try not to go too much longer than 8 to 12 hours of freezing time, though, or the fruit might be too hard. Juice and zest the lime. Have a glass dish/bowl or an ice cream container ready.
2. Add the frozen watermelon chunks, frozen banana halves, and lime juice & zest to a food processor OR a high-speed blender like a Vitamix (I prefer food processor) and blend on high until smooth and uniform, about 3 to 5 minutes. If you're having trouble blending, be patient, but if your granita still isn't blending, add 1 Tbsp filtered water OR 1 Tbsp unsweetened plant milk at a time until it is able to blend. Remember to give it time after adding additional liquid to see if it helps before adding more liquid.
3. You can either serve now (it's instant granita/Italian ice!) or transfer to the glass dish/bowl or ice cream container and freeze until more solid/icy, at least 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Serve! Enjoy on a hot summer day to beat the heat. You can enjoy straight up, with a drizzle of agave, with a mint leaf garnish, with an additional sprinkle of lime juice, with a splash of rum or tequila overtop for boozy slushies, or however you wish. Enjoy! Happy Summer!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer.
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