Strawberry Italian Ice

My family and I make a lot of fresh fruit smoothies during the summer months. It's nice to have something cool and refreshing that's also on the healthier side. So, I decided to dig this recipe out of storage and give it a try. I haven't made it yet, but know that it will be a huge hit with my little ice cream lover and little strawberry fanatic.

This recipe comes courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens.  It was one of their prizewinning recipes of 2005 and the best part is it comes with all the fun little nutritional values.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 Tbsp. finely shredded orange peel
2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
1 1/2 tsp. finely shredded lime peel
1/3 cup orange juice
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. lime juice
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

Directions:
1- In a medium saucepan combine sugar, water, the orange, lemon, and lime peel.  Being to boiling; reduce heat.  Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.  Cool slightly.  Strain and discard peels.  Stir in orange, lemon, and lime juices.

2- In a blender or food processor combine half of the juice mixture and 2 cups of the strawberries.  Cover and blend or process with several on/off turns or until nearly smooth (leave some small chunks of strawberries).  Transfer strawberry mixture to 2-quart freezer container.  Repeat with the remaining juice mixture and strawberries.  Cover and freeze for 6 hours or overnight, stirring once after freezing for three hours.

3- Let stand at room temperature for 20-30 minutes or until soft enough to scrape.  To serve, scrape across the frozen mixture with a large spoon.  Transfer into 8 chilled individual serving dishes.  Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts per serving:
123 cal., 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 0 mg chol., 2 mg sodium, 31 g carbo., 2 g dietary fiber, 1 g protein.