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Looking for a delicious way to use your CSA kiwis? How about a good old-fashioned sorbet? It’s simple, refreshing, and can be enjoyed throughout the week. All you really need is a little sugar, fruit, a freezer and five minutes.
Originally Chef Becky and I were going to make a granita – a Sicilian dish com-
posed of fruit juice or coffee, water and sugar. The ingredients are spread into a wide pan and put into the freezer. Once ice begins to form, the crystals are shaved and spread to the side every 30 minutes through out the course of several hours. The end product resembles a snow cone made with natural ingredients. Because of its light and refreshing qualities the granita is often enjoyed between meals as a palette cleanser, or as a light breakfast accompanied by a crisp piece of fresh bread.
Granitas can be made with a variety of fruit juice or purees, however the most common flavors are lemon and coffee. In order to make the recipe relevant to the needs of our CSA members we decided to experiment with kiwis – since they are in the box from winter to spring. Knowing that the kiwi is a very dense meaty fruit, we were unsure it would work for a light flakey granita, but anticipated a tasty outcome.
Instead of using water we thinned out the kiwi with tangerine juice, thinking that it would brighten rather than dilute the flavor of the kiwi. We then blended the fruit with a little sugar, and spread it into a pan. Several hours later we re- moved the pan from the freezer and noticed that the texture lent itself more to the granita’s cousin – the sorbet.
Even though it wasn’t what we were originally aiming for, the end product was delicious. The meat of the kiwi made for a dense creamy texture that was perfect for scooping into an ice-cream dish or cone. Similar to the granita, the sorbet would pair nicely with a fresh crisp piece of bread. Enjoy it as a snack, dessert, or maybe get a little crazy and eat it for breakfast!
Chef Becky and I are having fun experimenting with all the different ways we can use the wonderful fruit from Frog Hollow Farm and so should you! Some- times the mistakes that happen in the kitchen will lead to the most delicious recipes. Enjoy!
