Macedonia di Frutta

Ingredients

 * 1½ cup orange juice
 * 1 cup white wine
 * 1 tsp lemon peel, grated
 * 1 x apple
 * 1 x pear
 * 1 x banana
 * 2 lb mixed fruit
 * ⅓ cup vanilla sugar
 * mint leaves, optional

Directions

 * 1) Seasonal fruits (strawberries, cherries, nectarines, mangoes, Italian plums, seedless grapes, etc.).
 * 2) Pour orange juice and wine into a large glass serving bowl and stir in lemon peel.
 * 3) Peel and core apple and pear, then cut them into small cubes.
 * 4) Slice the banana thin.
 * 5) Hold the fruit over the bowl and chop it on a plate so you don't lose any of the juices.
 * 6) The larger fruits should be pitted, peeled and cubed.
 * 7) Cherries should be pitted and left whole.
 * 8) Stir the fruit into the liquid as soon as it is cut (the juices and wine will help retain the colors).
 * 9) Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
 * 10) The macedonia can be made the night before.
 * 11) Serve lightly chilled garnished with mint leaves.