Is there anything more typical than a Sicilian black mulberry granita ? Probably, in the summer, it is what is most snapped up on the island. So much so as to push many to try to reproduce it at home, perhaps mindful of a distant taste taken during who knows what trip.
Well: the good news is that it is possible to prepare the black or white mulberry granita with your own hands, obtaining an excellent result thanks to the recipe you find below. Below we tell you everything, but first some info about it.
What are mulberries
What kind of fruit is mulberry and what is it good for ? Perhaps not everyone knows them, and so it is good to make a small introduction to discover such a precious food. Mulberries arouse no small amount of curiosity as they are not widely consumed fruits, at least not when compared to blackberries or other berries.
They are native to Asia and in Italy they are found in the two famous varieties: white and black mulberries . They are characterized by a sour and sweet taste at the same time.
What is the mulberry season?
When can mulberries be harvested ? The period in which the harvest takes place is between the month of May and that of July. This explains the reason why over time they have become the protagonists of a typically summer dessert such as the Sicilian granita.
What do mulberries contain?
They are fruits low in calories but rich in interesting nutrients. Among these, vitamins A, B and C stand out. They also contain protein and iron.
READ: Sicilian granita: history, original recipe and curiosities not to be missed
Mulberry granita, Sicilian recipe
The recipe for the Sicilian mulberry granita is, like the other flavours, simple to reproduce at home. For the lazy, or for those who prefer to play it safe by relying on those who prepare it according to tradition, the dispassionate advice is to buy it on Sicilyaddict, where you can find the classic lemon or bergamot granita , in handy kits also containing brioches ( so as not to miss anything). But the choice is vast, and you can also opt for strawberry, pistachio or almond (with or without cream, take a tour!).
Ingredients
- 600 g of washed and peeled mulberries
- 350ml of water
- 300 g of sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Prepare ration
- Mix the water with the sugar and heat over the heat until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool.
- Transfer the mulberries to a blender and operate it by adding the lemon juice.
- Add the sugar syrup and pass through a sieve.
- Transfer the compound obtained into a container, cover it and keep it in the fridge for 2 hours, taking care to mix it every 30 minutes.
Mulberry granita with ice cream maker
Alternatively, you can make the mulberry granita with an ice cream maker by pouring the mixture into it and stirring it for about 30 minutes, until it reaches the desired consistency. At this point you can immediately taste it or keep it in a container in the freezer until it's time to taste it.
Mulberry granita with Thermomix
Whoever has a Thermomix at home can prepare it with the robot:
- Put the sugar in the mixing bowl and operate it for 10 sec. speed 10.
- Add the ice, the frozen mulberries and the lemon juice: mix for 1 min. from vel. 5 at speed 10 spatula.
- Transfer the mixture into glasses and enjoy.
How many calories does a mulberry granita have?
Granita is a dessert made with water, fruit and sugar. It contains no added fat, unless whipped cream is added. But that doesn't mean it's low in calories. If you're wondering how many calories specifically a mulberry granita has , these amount to about 320 per serving. To which you will naturally have to add those of the brioche with tuppo .
READ ALSO: Messina strawberry granita, the fresh and creamy Sicilian recipe
Variants of the mulberry granita
Despite being the most popular, the black mulberry granita is not the only one. The variations that you can find are just as delicious and deserve to be tried. These are:
White mulberry granita
White mulberries are the protagonists of this granita. Unlike the black ones, however, take into account their sweet taste, yes, but also less decisive.
Red mulberry granita
There is another variant of mulberries, the red one. This is widespread in North America, much less in our parts so the relative granita is quite rare to find. It is worth knowing, however, that this variant offers sweet and juicy fruits.
Mulberry sorbet
For those who prefer sorbet to granita, let's say that it is possible to make it starting from a syrup of water and sugar to which the blended mulberries and whipped egg whites are added, which gives the dessert its classic and pleasant consistency.
