granita

This is another Sicilian treat that goes back to the time of the Arabs—originally it was made with snow from the mountains. Granita, which Americans know as 'Italian ices', are flavoured with lemon, strawberry or mulberry, or sometimes coffee. Adding sugar to the boiling water while making the syrup and stirring every hour or so while it's freezing gives it the nice slushy consistency.

In June, the Sicilian town of Acireale holds a granita making demonstration and contest, called a Nivarata; so far over 100 different flavours have been documented.