Lemon Granita

I saw this on the same show as the Orange Granita. It is really good, even without the limoncello.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6  lemons
• 4  cups water
•  sugar, to taste
• 3  sprigs thyme
• 2  tablespoons  limoncello

Directions

1. Clean and wash the lemons.
2. Cut off the top 1/4 of the lemons and shave a small slice off the bottom so it stands easily.
3. Using a grapefruit knife, cut out the flesh of the lemon and place in a strainer set over a bowl.
4. Be careful not to cut through the bottom.
5. Stand the lemons on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer and freeze until solid.
6. Press the flesh of the lemons through the strainer to extract all of the juice. You should end up with about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice.
7. Add the water to the lemon juice.
8. Stir in sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is of desired sweetness.
9. Add the thyme and limoncello and let sit for 15 minutes.
10. Strain the mixture into a roasting pan or baking dish.
11. The dish should be large enough so the liquid is not more than 1-inch deep. Freeze the mixture for 1 hour.
12. Remove from the freezer and scrape with 2 forks to break up ice.
13. Return to the freezer and freeze until solid, about 2 to 3 hours, scraping with forks every hour or so.
14. When the granite is frozen, scoop it into the frozen lemon shells and serve immediately.