Lemon granita is believed to have been one of the first versions of this frozen Sicilian specialty. Granita al limone is made with lemon juice, water, and sugar, while lemon zest is often used as a flavoring. The combination is frozen and then stirred with a fork to partially break the ice crystals and give granita its distinctive granular texture.
An old Sicilian proverb claims that "lemons are not real lemons unless they are Sicilian". This recipe was adapted from the official portal of the Region of Sicily, and explains how to make a classic Silician lemon granita. Since lemon zest is used in this and many other recipes, it is advisable to choose untreated, organic lemons. Keep in mind that granita takes 3 to 4 hours to be frozen completely and ready for serving.