Granita

A traditional Italian dessert that may also be referred to as a sorbet but is coarser and more granular in texture. Sugar and water are boiled to make syrup that is flavored with a wide variety of ingredients such as fruit, chocolate, coffee, or champagne. The fruit juice or fruit rinds may be strained and the remaining juice used for the granita substance. Similar to a sherbet or flavored ice, the granita is frozen and served chilled. Depending on the ingredients, some granitas may have a cream base, such as coffee granita or a fruit base, such as lemon or honeydew granita. This dessert goes well as a light and refreshing addition to a rich entree.