Begin by washing and putting the cherries. To pit them easily, gently slit the side of each cherry and remove the seed. Set aside a handful of cherries for garnish.
Step 2: Making the Gelato Base
In a blender, combine the pitted cherries, milk, sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest. Blend until you achieve a smooth, homogeneous mixture. Ensure that the sugar dissolves completely.
Step 3: Chilling the Mixture
Place the blended mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to chill thoroughly.
Step 4: Churning the Gelato
Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This generally takes around 25-30 minutes.
Step 5: Incorporating the Cherry Garnish
During the last few minutes of churning, add the reserved cherries, allowing them to distribute evenly throughout the gelato.
Step 6: Freezing to Perfection
Transfer the freshly churned gelato into an airtight container, ensuring it is evenly spread. Place it in the freezer for a minimum of 4 hours or until firm.
Notes
1. Choose ripe and juicy cherries to enhance the natural sweetness of the gelato.2. For a creamier texture, substitute a portion of the milk with heavy cream.3. Adding a pinch of salt can help balance the sweetness and intensify the flavors.4. Opt for organic cherries to savor the true essence of this delightful fruit.5. To make the gelato more visually appealing, reserve a handful of whole cherries for garnishing.