Cinnamon and watermelon granita

Name: Cinnamon and watermelon granita
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup castor sugar; 1 cinnamon stick; 2 tbsp lemon juice; chopped flesh from 1/4 large, seedless watermelon; 

July 8, 2014

A flavour combination that seems strange on paper may knock your socks off.William Meppem

Time:< 30 minsServes:6

The flavour of watermelon combines the green, grassy compounds that give their distant relative, the cucumber, its flavour, with warm, woody notes similar to carrot, pumpkin or even tomato. Adding a touch of cinnamon to watermelon brings out its warmth, and anchors its light freshness in something a little more exotic. You will need to freeze the granita for five hours before serving.

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup castor sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2 tbsp lemon juice
chopped flesh from 1/4 large, seedless watermelon

Method

1. Combine the water, sugar and cinnamon in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, then remove the cinnamon stick and stir in the lemon juice.
2. Blend the watermelon flesh in a food processor or blender and strain through a fine sieve. Stir through the granita syrup and chill in the fridge. Transfer to a tray in the freezer and freeze for about five hours, scraping the granita with a fork every couple of hours until well frozen, fluffy and flaky. Allow to freeze completely then scrape the granita one final time to serve.
3. Serve in chilled bowls or glasses.