What is Gnocchi?
Gnocchi are a pillowy Italian dish made from flour, eggs, and potatoes. Gnocchi can be served with sauce or pan-fried with butter and herbs. But is gnocchi a pasta? We’ll find out!
We’ll take you on a journey through the allure of crafting these pillowy delights by hand, give you a sneak peek into the origins of this beloved Italian dish. Furthermore, each region’s gnocchi recipe is a window into its culture and history. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and explore the world of gnocchi!
How to Pronounce Gnocchi?
First things first! Gnocchi means ‘lumps’ in Italian and is pronounced nyowk-kee. However, the word’s origin is debated. Some sources trace it back to ’nocca,‘ meaning knuckles, while others link it to the Lombard word ‚knohha,‘ signifying a knot or walnut. The origin of the word is hazy but we leave the pronunciation for you below!
Explore The Roots
Gnocchi’s roots trace back to Ancient Roman times, with variations of the gnocchi recipe appearing across Italy and Europe. Some argue that gnocchi may predate pasta itself, making it a distinctive and ancient culinary creation. Originally made with semolina and eggs, it evolved into Gnocchi alla Romana during the Renaissance. The dish transitioned to a more pasta-like form using ingredients like breadcrumbs and flour.
The introduction of potatoes from South America in the 16th or 17th century transformed a gnocchi recipe. One of the recipes from the famous Italian Renaissance chef Bartolomeo Scappi, as found in his book published in the 16th century, is as follows: Mix together floury potatoes of good quality and white flour. The dumplings should be cooked in plenty of salted water. They are usually flavored with butter and cheese, meat sauce, tomato sauce, Genoese pesto, etc.This recipe clearly considers gnocchi to be a type of dumpling.
Back in the 19th century, Pellegrino Artusi, the legend of Italian cuisine, documented a potato gnocchi recipe just like we know it today. He even included a funny anecdote about a woman who lost her gnocchi in the boiling pot – turns out, she forgot the crucial step of adding enough flour to keep them firm! So, is gnocchi considered pasta or dumplings? Although people often perceive them as fresh pasta due to their appearance, considering the historical transformation of the recipe, these gnocchi are considered dumplings today.
Ancient taste
The confusion around whether gnocchi is considered pasta may stem from the fact that both are commonly found in the same sections of grocery stores or served in similar dishes at restaurants. Additionally, the preparation and consumption of gnocchi often resemble that of pasta. However, the distinction lies in the ingredients and the complicated preparation process.
And yes these cutie potato dumplings demand practice and patience. Therefore, making gnocchi from scratch can range from moderately effortful to quite laborious, depending on your experience, technique, and chosen recipe. Accordingly those yummy little dumplings, are more than just a culinary delight.
Fear not, adventurous foodies! You can still unleash the unique flavors of ancient times without spending hours slaving over the stove. Gnocca knows variety of gnocchi with respect for tradition, using local ingredients and methods as their centuries-old counterparts. Explore here the gnocchi options available, and give these beautiful and comforting potato dumplings the attention they deserve.
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References:
Capatti, Alberto. „et al. Italian Cuisine: A Cultural History.“ Columbia University Press, 2003. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.7312/capa12232. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.