Heirloom Watermelon Italian Ice

Yield: 1 Quart

Although it’s fun and delicious to use an heirloom watermelon for this recipe, any watermelon will do! If you’d like to try out a unique variety, check out your local farmers’ market, which is bound to have beautiful melons this time of year.

Ingredients:
8 cups of seeded and 3/4″ diced watermelon
3/4 cup honey granules
2 tsp gelatin
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp good-quality vodka
pinch sea salt

Instructions:
In a blender, blend watermelon until smooth, which will result in 5 1/2 cups puree. If not, add more or remove watermelon to reach 5 1/2 cups puree. Pour 1 cup puree into a small saucepan and leave the remaining in the blender. To the saucepan, add honey granules and gelatin. Over medium heat, while stirring, warm puree until honey granules and gelatin melt. The mixture will not even need to reach a simmer to do this. Simply lift a spoon of the puree up and check until graininess has diminished and a smooth, yet pulpy mixture remains. Once dissolved, remove from heat.

To the blender, add lemon juice, vodka, sea salt and honey granule mixture. Blend briefly to combine. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour. The mixture may be left in the blender to while chilling, if desired. Once chilled, freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once processed, chill overnight in one large glass container or individual ramekins. If using one large container, leave several inches for the mixture to expand.