Page 29 - Book-TradiAliCulture-Sicily
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The "granita" is a cold dessert typical of
Sicily. It is a semi-frozen liquid prepared with
water, sugar and fruit juice. Lemon, orange,
mandarin and peach juices are the most
common ones, but almonds, pistachios, coffee
or chocolate can also be used. The Sicilian
"granita" is very difficult to imitate. It's a
refreshing dessert ideal for hot summer
evenings.
The story …
The origins of the "granita" date back to the Arab domination in Sicily. The Arabs brought
with them the recipe of sorbets, iced drinks flavoured with fruit juice or rose water. In Sicily, snow
was collected from the Etna volcano in the Peloritani, Iblei and Nebrodi Mountains, to be stored
during the year in coolers, cold rooms built of stone and erected on natural caves. In summer, this ice
was taken to cover it with fruit syrup or flowers.
Close to Acireale, a city east of Sicily and
famous for its Carnival, since 2012, the "Nivaroli"
festival is dedicated to the "granita" craft. The
festival’s name comes from the name given to
the receptacles for the storage of snow,
"nivalori". They were valuable at the time when
the refrigerator did not yet exist.
Recipe
Ingredients
o 600 ml water
o 200 ml lemon juice
o 300 g sugar
o lemon peel
www.erasmus-isj-namur
