Watermelon Granita with Cardamom Syrup

• 3/4 cup water
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3 pounds seedless watermelon, rind removed, flesh cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (6 cups)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cardamom pods, crushed

1. In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the water with 3/4 cup of the sugar and stir over moderate heat until dissolved, 2 minutes.
2. In a blender, working in batches, puree the watermelon with the sugar syrup and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and freeze for 30 minutes.
4. Using a fork, stir the granita; continue stirring every 30 minutes, until frozen and fluffy, about 3 hours.
5. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the remaining 1/4 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar with the cardamom pods and bring to a boil.
6. Simmer over moderate heat until the sugar is dissolved, 2 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
8. Strain the syrup and refrigerate.
9. Fluff the granita with a fork.
10. Scoop into bowls, drizzle with the cardamom syrup and serve immediately.

water, sugar, seedless watermelon, lemon juice, cardamom pods

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/watermelon-granita-cardamom-syrup (may not work)