Dessert · Italian ·

Sicilian Pistachio Gelato with Lemon Zest

Name: Sicilian Pistachio Gelato with Lemon Zest
Prep time: 90 min
Cook time: 270 min
Total time: 360 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 2 cups whole milk; 1 cup heavy cream; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon corn syrup; 1 ½ cups shelled pistachios; ¼ cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons water; Zest of 2 lemons; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Delight in this creamy Sicilian pistachio gelato enhanced with a hint of fresh lemon zest, offering a perfect balance of nutty sweetness and citrusy brightness.

4(714 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 17, 2025

Sicilian Pistachio Gelato with Lemon Zest — Dessert served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 30 min

Cook

4 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Gelato Base

For the Pistachio Paste

For the Lemon Zest Infusion

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 443 kcal
Protein: 9.5 g
Carbs: 37.83 g
Fat: 30.33 g
Fiber: 3.17 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2656 kcal
Protein: 57 g
Carbs: 227 g
Fat: 182 g
Fiber: 19 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 cups whole milk	300	16	24	16	0
1 cup heavy cream	820	5	7	88	0
½ cup granulated sugar	387	0	100	0	0
1 tablespoon corn syrup	60	0	16	0	0
1 ½ cups shelled pistachios	960	36	48	78	18
¼ cup powdered sugar	120	0	30	0	0
2 tablespoons water	0	0	0	0	0
Zest of 2 lemons	5	0	1	0	1
1 tablespoon lemon juice	4	0	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Pistachio Paste

1
Toast pistachios
Toast the pistachios in a pan over medium heat until fragrant.
2
Grind to paste
Let them cool, then grind to a fine paste in a food processor.
3
Blend with sugar and water
Add powdered sugar and water; blend until smooth.

Infusing the Gelato Base

1
Heat ingredients
Heat milk, cream, sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat until warm.
Tip: Do not let the base come to a full boil; it should only simmer.
2
Incorporate pistachio paste
Stir in the pistachio paste until fully incorporated.
3
Infuse with lemon
Add lemon zest and juice, simmering gently for 5 minutes.
Tip: Chill the mixture in the refrigerator overnight for best results.

How to Make Sicilian Pistachio Gelato with Lemon Zest

Total time: 6 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Gelato Base Heating
Warm the base without boiling to preserve the creaminess.
2
Pistachio Paste Incorporation
Mix until no lumps remain for a smooth texture.
3
Zest Infusion
Ensure zest is finely grated to seamlessly integrate the flavor.