It's thethird most popular crop in the world and is eaten by billions of people around the world.
What is it?
The potato! Whether it's baked, mashed, fried, or roasted, potatoes are versatile and served in a variety of forms. What you might not know is that they're an important staple in pasta!
Keep reading to learn more about the history of Italian gnocchi and three of the top dishes that feature them.
The History of Italian Gnocchi
Theorigin of the potato began in South America, and the Spanish introduced them to Italy in the 16th century.
Unfortunately, the potato's appearance made it undesirable. Europeans were suspicious of the crop. At first, it was primarily consumed by animals and starving people.
However, elite members such as Frederik and Catherine the Great recognized the crop's potential to sustain Europe. They issued more fields and eventually potatoes replaced cereal crops. Potatoes could be produced in large quantities and they were highly regarded for their nutritional benefits.
In places like Northern Italy, the cooler climate was better suited for potatoes than grain. This new staple was incorporated into traditional dishes, which led to a new form of gnocchi: the potato dumpling.
Now you can order gnocchi dishes from menus all over the world.
Classic
When you think of a classic Italian pasta dish, what sauce are you imagining atop the noodles? For me, it's a homemade tomato sauce.
The best sauces use fresh tomatoes and a combination of spices such as basil, oregano, parsley, and thyme. Authentic tomato sauce cooks, or simmers, for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to concentrate.
An alternative to a classic marinara is a meat sauce. This has the base of a tomato sauce with the addition of ground beef or Italian sausage.
Pesto
Another popular gnocchi dish is one that is served with a pesto sauce.
Pesto consists of garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, and basil. Additionally, each pesto sauce contains a hard cheese such as Parmesan or Romano.
If this herb-based sauce sounds good, but you're in the mood for something creamier, try your gnocchi withpesto alfredo!
Simple
A potato dumpling is delicious on its own. If you're anxious to try this pasta but don't want it accompanied by a heavy sauce, don't be afraid to go simple. Gnocchi pairs well with a simple butter and garlic sauce that can be achieved at home or in a restaurant.
To add a little bit more flavor, request some parmesan cheese, basil, or sage as a garnish.
How to Please a Gnocchi Craving
Tomato, pesto (or pesto alfredo), and butter-based sauces are the best components in a delicious Italian gnocchi recipe. All three are commonly found on restaurant menus. Some restaurants may offer gnocchi as part of a soup, salad, or paired with a plate of vegetables as well.
If you're in the Portland area and are looking to try an authentic Italian gnocchi dish, head on over toDeNicolas' Authentic Italian for dine-in or catering.
FAQs
It has been a traditional type of Italian pasta since Roman times. It was introduced by the Roman legions during the expansion of the empire into the countries of the European continent.
What are the three main types of gnocchi? ›
The most common types of Gnocchi are: Gnocchi di Patate, alla Romana, and Parisienne.
What do Italians eat with gnocchi? ›
Roasted potatoes and polenta are perfect to serve alongside this dish. The trick for making this is to prepare it the day before, then let the meat rest overnight so that the oil softens its fibers even more.
What is the difference between Parisian gnocchi and Italian gnocchi? ›
While the best Italian gnocchi are light and pillowy, Parisian-style gnocchi are even lighter, and far easier to make. While boiling them in the style of Italian gnocchi is a great way to cook them, you can also fry the gnocchi in a skillet to be used as a blank palate for any number of seasonally-based pasta dishes.
What is special about gnocchi? ›
While gnocchi are a traditional Italian pasta shape, what makes them distinct is that they use potatoes as the main ingredient. Therefore, they're commonly considered to be a dumpling. Like many dishes in Italian cuisine, gnocchi vary in both name, appearance, and recipe across the regions of lo Stivale.
Why do Italians eat gnocchi on the 29th? ›
Gnocchi Day
Saint Pantaleo, who is a very beloved saint, who is said to have performed many miracles was canonized on the 29 of July. So the tradition of the 29th was originally instated to honor him.
Is gnocchi more unhealthy than pasta? ›
Nutritional Value
Believe it or not, regular pasta is actually more carb-heavy than gnocchi, coming in at around 2 times the amount of carbs per serving. Gnocchi is also notorious for having a lot more sodium, with over 200 grams of it per serving. Regular pasta doesn't have nearly as high of a sodium content.
What's the difference between potato gnocchi and gnocchi? ›
Unlike potato gnocchi, Roman gnocchi (Gnocchi alla romana), are made with semolina instead of potatoes and flour, that's why they are also called Semolina gnocchi. Roman gnocchi are shaped differently than potato gnocchi.
Is gnocchi a side or main dish? ›
Gnocchi is a pillowy Italian dish you can serve as a side dish, appetizer, or main dish.
What meat do you eat with gnocchi? ›
Irresistible, marinated steak bites are served with perfectly browned gnocchi in this quick and easy, family favorite meal. Steak bites and gnocchi combine the richness of tender beef with the convenience of gnocchi. This dish is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it a delightful meal for any occasion.
Like pasta, gnocchi is the perfect vessel for a variety of delicious sauces, from tomato, bolognese and quick butter sauce with sage to creamy gnocchi sauces.
Does gnocchi need to be refrigerated? ›
To store: Keep fresh gnocchi in the fridge for up to 1 month, once opened use within 48 hours. Vacuum packed gnocchi can be stored in a dark, dry cupboard for up to 3 months. Once opened store in the fridge and used within 3 days.
What city in Italy is known for gnocchi? ›
In Verona, potato gnocchi is traditionally served in a tomato sauce—it's a dish associated with Carnival that goes as far back as the 1500s. In Venice, gnocchi is also known as "macaroni." Made from a base of flour, milk, and eggs cooked and shaped into little discs, they are baked in the oven with butter and cheese.
What potato is best for gnocchi? ›
I find baking potatoes to be dry and floury. My favorite potatoes for gnocchi are Yukon gold or other yellow potatoes. They have a rich, buttery flavor and a creamy, fluffy texture. Flour: A judicious amount of unbleached all-purpose flour helps to turn the potatoes into dough.
What is big gnocchi called? ›
By far the most colourful of all Italian gnocchi, Lombardian malfatti are big, beautiful balls of ricotta, spinach and Parmesan bound together with semolina and egg. They're larger than your average gnocchi – roughly the size of a golf ball – and they're simply boiled to preserve their light, fluffy, soft texture.
What is a gnocchi board called in Italian? ›
Gnocchi Board: Rigagnocchi. Rigagnocchi is a wooden gnocchi stripper board.
What day is Gnocchi Day in Italy? ›
“Giovedì gnocchi, venerdì pesce, sabato trippa.” So the saying goes in Rome, that Thursday is gnocchi day, Friday is fish day, and Saturday it's tripe! It's not hard to understand the “venerdì pesce” – this is a Catholic country after all.
How is gnocchi eaten in Italy? ›
The Gnudi, or spinach and ricotta gnocchi, is a typical recipe from Tuscany, usually served with a simple tomato sauce or with butter and sage. In fancy restaurants, sometimes these are served with very special aged parmesan cheese like pecorino or with a slice of lard that melts in contact with the hot gnocchi.
Why is gnocchi spelled that way? ›
Their name derives from the plural form of the Venetian dialect term gnocco (“knuckle”), borrowed from the German Knöchel, probably by way of nearby Tyrol, Austria. The name can be explained by the similarity of the dumplings' shape to an animal knuckle.
