Oysters on the Half Shell with Watermelon Granita

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Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
1 dozen

Mixed with lemon juice and pepper, the frozen watermelon puree is a delicious riff on a classic mignonette.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces watermelon (about ½ small), peeled and cut into cubes (1 ½ cups)

  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 12 fresh oysters, preferably Blue Point, scrubbed well

  • Crushed ice cubes

  • Garnish: thin strips lemon zest

Directions

  1. Puree watermelon in a blender until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a 5-by-9-inch nonreactive loaf pan; discard solids. Stir in lemon juice, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover with plastic wrap; freeze until firm, about 3 hours.

  2. Scrape granita with a fork until fluffy. Freeze again while shucking oysters.

  3. Shuck oysters, and arrange on a bed of crushed ice. Garnish ice with lemon zest. Top each oyster with 1 to 2 teaspoons granita toward the narrow end of the oyster shell.

Cook's Notes

Granita can be frozen for up to 1 week. Rescrape before using.

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