This is another traditional dessert from Palermo and it was included in the Sicilian Street Food New Year’s Eve Party I organised for this month’s Foodbuzz 24×24 event. I asked my aunts for my grandmother’s recipe and here it is. I still remember her making it during the hot summer months. It doesn’t take long and the result is some very refreshing and sweet watermelon jello. I love the intense colour and the hint of cinnamon in it. I also love the crushed pistachios and the chocolate bites that remind me of the watermelon pips! Some people also add a little zuccata (Sicilian candied pumpkin), but I did not have any (I will try and make my own soon… stay tuned). Enjoy everyone!
Ingredients (for 4 people):
500 ml watermelon juice
40 gms corn starch
165 gms sugar
½ sachet of vanillina or a dash of vanilla extract
¼ stick of cinnamon
Chocolate chips and ground pistachios to serve
A pinch of cinnamon, ground to serve (optional)
Zuccata (Sicilian candied pumpkin), diced to serve (optional)
Start by making the watermelon juice. Cut the watermelon, remove the seeds and put it into a mixer. Mix well until blended. Sieve it and keep aside.
Add the corn starch to a little bit of the watermelon juice and mix well until dissolved. Mix with the remaining watermelon juice. Add the sugar, vanilla and cinnamon stick and mix well.
Put the pot with the watermelon mixture on the fire and bring to a boil. Simmer on a low fire for 20 minutes, stirring continuously.
Rinse your moulds and leave them wet (this will help you to unmold the jello).
Pour the jello into the moulds and let it cool down. Keep it in the fridge overnight.
When you are ready to serve it, unmold it and sprinkle it with some chocolate chips and ground pistachios (and a pinch of ground cinnamon and diced zuccata if you want).
alyssa says
January 10, 2012 at 9:03 pmThis is the best looking jello I’ve ever seen! Who knew jello could be as fancy as this, perfect for entertaining!
Kiri W. says
January 11, 2012 at 2:08 amI love that you used cinnamon in the jello, and who doesn’t love pistachios? 🙂 Looks fantastic, I always adore melon flavored anything.
Lyn says
January 11, 2012 at 5:16 amHappy 2012, Manu! I’m sorry for not visiting for so long. I’m very very behind now, I know but don’t worry, I’ll be able to catch up soon! 😉
I love your grandmother’s recipe of jello using fresh watermelon juice! This is the first homemade jello recipe I’ve seen (guessed I’m the only one here huh??? 😛 ) and it’s very easy! 🙂
PolaM says
January 11, 2012 at 9:15 amMy favorite granita is watermelon granita. I’m sure I would love this!
cristina says
January 11, 2012 at 9:18 amSo beautiful! Just pinned it. 🙂
kankana says
January 11, 2012 at 9:24 amthat’s the most prettiest gelo i have seen in a long time. Love the color and the presentation !
Culinary Cache says
January 11, 2012 at 9:55 amThis looks and sounds delicious!
Joan Nova says
January 11, 2012 at 10:15 amI don’t even like jello, but these photos make me want to eat yours!
Anna @ the shady pine says
January 11, 2012 at 10:38 amThe colour of these just pops and would be so impressive to serve up! What a perfect light summer recipe.
Kristin says
January 11, 2012 at 11:02 amYour photos are absolutely gorgeous!! The recipe sounds so refreshing and delicious.
Irena says
January 11, 2012 at 5:43 pmManu, dessert and photos are super cute:)
Nuts about food says
January 11, 2012 at 7:31 pmThose are beautiful little things. Love the pistachio and chocolate addition.
Giulietta | Alterkitchen says
January 11, 2012 at 8:41 pmWhat a nice color!! I don’t like watermelon so much, but I could definitely try this jello!
easyfoodsmith says
January 11, 2012 at 11:29 pmGorgeous looking jello! The colour is so pretty and the pistachio is a great addition of texture.
Adie Andrews says
January 12, 2012 at 1:20 amEven though I am not that huge fan of watermelons can I replace it with peaches or melon? Hope that it will work again the same way only the taste will be different
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Manu says
January 12, 2012 at 6:56 amHi Adie! I have never tried it with any other fruits, but I think that if you use the same amount of juice it should work with any fruits! 😉 Let me know! 🙂
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
January 12, 2012 at 3:58 amLooks perfect for the season, we are in summer so a fresh recipe comes perfect for my family.
Eva kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com says
January 12, 2012 at 10:09 amIncredible colour Manu, I will definitely bookmark this one for a summer intermezzo or dessert. After such a delicious and heavy NYE dinner, it must have been wonderful to have such a light dessert.
Divya Yadava says
January 12, 2012 at 11:01 amBeautiful dish, Manu! Can you send me one :P?
JasmyneTea says
January 12, 2012 at 6:15 pmI just showed this recipe to the in laws and they begged me to make this. It’s amazing! Well done 🙂
Danny says
January 28, 2013 at 4:34 pmI just tried this – letting it cool down – fingers crossed! I used some jasmine water in mine as many recipes online say to do so.
My parents make something like this called Mustarda – its with grape juice, corn flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cocoa, and grape vine ash, a whole apple (you strain out the ash and apple) – then its topped with crushed almonds and hazelnuts. I think Mustarda is a Mt Etna thing (???)
Manu says
January 28, 2013 at 5:53 pmYes, I think mostarda is from the area around Catania! It sounds delicious too! 🙂
Let me know how you like the watermelon version! 🙂
Tara says
August 9, 2013 at 7:17 amThis was wonderful! A perfect summertime dessert. My husband and son don’t like watermelon, but that just meant more for me 🙂