Fresh Strawberry Granita

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 pounds ripe strawberries, hulled and halved
• 1/3 cup white sugar, or to taste
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
• 1 tiny pinch salt

Recipe

Preparation Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 25 mins


• rinse strawberries with cold water; let drain. transfer berries to a blender and add sugar, water, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and salt.
• pulse several times to get the mixture moving, then blend until smooth, about 1 minute. pour into a large baking dish. puree should only be about 3/8 inch deep in the dish.
• place dish uncovered in the freezer until mixture barely begins to freeze around the edges, about 45 minutes. mixture will still be slushy in the center.
• lightly stir the crystals from the edge of the granita mixture into the center, using a fork, and mix thoroughly. close freezer and chill until granita is nearly frozen, 30 to 40 more minutes. mix lightly with a fork as before, scraping the crystals loose. repeat freezing and stirring with the fork 3 to 4 times until the granita is light, crystals are separate, and granita looks dry and fluffy.
• portion granita into small serving bowls to serve.