Cantaloupe Mint Granita

August 21, 2013

Well, you guys, it is almost time to face the facts. Summer is over. Kids are back in school and soon enough the weather will turn cooler, then before you know it, it’s boot and sweater season. While I love boot and sweater season as much as the next trendy girl, I am not quite ready for this change.

I feel like there was so much I was supposed to get done this summer. For one thing, I wanted to make ice cream from scratch along with little cream puffs with Stephie. Haven’t done that yet.

This summer I wanted to get a tan. Actually, I say that every summer and end up just as pale as when summer began.

And the baby room was supposed to be completed and put together. Hmm… About that. I have actually done a lot of work on the room. It is painted, wall décor purchased, crib and dresser ordered. I can’t really do anything else until the crib and dresser arrive, so I guess I can check this off for now.

This month I started working on a holiday cocktail project. This has totally got me down, because I am not ready for Christmas and winter. So, I decided instead of whining (let’s just forget about the above paragraphs) I am going to enjoy every last morsel of summer before it is totally gone.

I made this super easy and refreshing granita (a granita for those of you who don’t know is like Italian ice) from simply pureeing an entire cantaloupe and then adding some light mint simple syrup. This recipe would also be perfect in popsicle form. PS Did you know you can buy straight up simple syrup in a bottle at your local liquor store now? Huge time saver! I highly recommend buying a bottle for your home bar. Trust me, it will allow you time to do other things like sit outside and read while snacking on some last bites of summer fruit.

Cantaloupe Mint Granita

Course Dessert
Prep Time 1 day
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 day 15 minutes
Servings 4
Author Sarcastic Cooking

Ingredients

  • 1/3 Cup Simple Syrup
  • 1 Tablespoon Agave
  • 4-6 Fresh Mint Leaves
  • 1 Whole Cantaloupe seeded, peeled, and cubed

Instructions

  1. Add simple syrup, agave, and mint leaves to a small saucepan. Heat syrup over medium/low heat until little bubbles start to form. Just when it starts to simmer, turn off heat and remove from heat. Let cool slightly and then remove the mint leaves.
  2. Add cubed cantaloupe to a food processor. Puree until smooth.
  3. Add the cantaloupe puree and simple syrup to a loaf pan. Mix to evenly distribute the syrup. Freeze the granite mixture overnight.
  4. Before serving, let granite come to temperature for 15-20 minutes. Scoop granite using an ice cream scoop. Garnish with some small mint leaves for pizazz.

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  • Jennie @themessybakerblog
    August 27, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Yay for boot and sweater season. Bring on the chilly weather and pumpkin recipes. I’m a fall lover. This granita is the perfect way to end a great summer.

  • Akshara Vivekananthan
    August 24, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    This looks absolutely heavenly!!!

  • Stephanie
    August 22, 2013 at 6:18 pm

    Noooo! I refuse to believe that summer is coming to a close! I’m freezing my butt off in shorts over here in protest. I still have so much ice cream to make, and now granita as well!

  • Monet
    August 22, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    Hi Stefanie. I only had one goal this summer: to have my baby girl…so thankfully, I feel accomplished. But most summers my to-do list doesn’t get touched. I do think I’ll have to add this Italian Ice to my August agenda. It looks just lovely!

  • Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
    August 22, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Now this is what I call refreshing!

  • Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
    August 21, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    WAIT. Hold the phone. You can BUY simple syrup? Ok, I have to remember that. I always avoid cocktail recipes that require simple syrup because I’M LAZY.

    Cream puffs can still TOTALLY happen in the fall. Or winter. Or spring. I’ll babysit them while you take care of baby. Tag team!

    Also, let’s not even talk about how Alex (what did you call him the other day…corn field boy?) is obsessed with places that have LOTS of cold weather (such as Alaska now) and I keep saying NONONOOOOO. That is all.

  • Todd @ HonestlyYUM
    August 21, 2013 at 6:32 pm

    i always forget how easy granitas are. Thanks for reminding me! Also, haven’t tried the cantaloupe & mint combo, but it looks spot on 🙂

    • Stefanie
      August 21, 2013 at 6:38 pm

      Glad to give you a reminder! I hope you give this combo a try!

  • Julia
    August 21, 2013 at 11:54 am

    I love summer and really love fall but fall means winter–and I also hate winter (except for Christmas). I agree we have to savor every last minute because before we know it the freezing cold will show up in Chicago. 🙁 This granita looks pretty darn good–I love your creative recipes.

  • Anita at Hungry Couple
    August 21, 2013 at 10:36 am

    That looks so refreshing I just want to lick it off the screen! And yes, I can’t figure out where the summer has gone so quickly…