Pumpkin and Amaretti Gnocchi
Coming together for a holiday certainly revolves around the food we eat; especially in Italian families and for all those food lovers out there! But there is also another important part that truly makes the holiday special. And that is family; those that will be sharing this meal with me. My daughter is coming home next week and I can’t even tell you how excited I am to see her! She may be only an hour plus away and I may chat with her several times a day, but to have her back home with me makes me so very happy!
So while I’m planning ahead for Thanksgiving, I’ve also given some thought to preparing a few special meals for her and my son. The night before Thanksgiving I really want something quick, easy and comforting. Pasta is comfort food to me so I thought I’d prepare a batch of gnocchi to freeze ahead. Of course, I can’t just make potato or ricotta gnocchi during pumpkin season!
Making gnocchi takes a bit of time and practice to get the texture of the dough just right but I always feel it’s worth the effort. The roasted pumpkin puree should be drained well so that the dough will come together without adding in an excess of flour; a dryer puree makes for a lighter gnocchi. The Amaretti cookie crumbs add a gentle sweet taste to the gnocchi and should be processed fine to not create a “crunchy” taste in the gnocchi. I use a fork to roll my gnocchi but have heard of others using a box grater or a whisk to create the familiar grooves.
The pumpkin can be roasted a day ahead; normally when I’m roasting other things and will make the dough making day go a bit quicker! It’s hard to be exact in the quantities of the ingredients as it truly depends on the moisture of the pumpkin whether to add more or less flour. You will want the dough not sticky, but soft and light. To create the light pillowy soft gnocchi make sure again that your dough is neither too wet nor too overworked.
Just a small bowl of comfort, a mixed greens salad, a glass of wine and lots of laughter and love!!
Pumpkin and Amaretti Gnocchi
For the gnocchi:
About 2 cups roasted pumpkin puree, squeezed/drained dry
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon Amaretti Liquor
1 ½ – 2 cups flour, I used white whole wheat flour
½ cup finely processed Amaretti cookie crumbs
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
½ teaspoons salt
For the sauce:
¼ cup organic unsalted butter
10-12 sage leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
In a large bowl, mix the egg yolk and Amaretti liquor into the puree. Combine the flour and Amaretti crumbs and add to the dough, mixing with a wooden spoon to combine. Sprinkle a little flour on your board and knead the dough just until it’s smooth adding small amounts of flour as needed. Do not overwork as the gnocchi can become tough. Cut the dough into four sections and roll into long pencil shapes. Cut every ½ – 1 inch and roll into small balls. Mark the gnocchi by rolling it down the back of a fork or grater using your thumb to roll down then up forming the concave pillow shape. Place the gnocchi on a large lightly floured baking sheet. If freezing, place the baking sheet in the freezer and when frozen place in a freezer baggy for later use.
When ready to cook, heat a large skillet and melt the butter. Add the sage leaves and cook for several minutes. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi in batches if necessary for about 3-5 minutes or until gnocchi floats to the top. Fresh gnocchi will obviously cook faster than frozen. Taste to check for doneness. Remove gnocchi with a slotted spoon to drain well and add to the large skillet. Gently toss and to combine well with the sauce; sometimes I will lightly sauté the gnocchi for a touch of crispness. Serve immediately in warmed bowls with Parmesan cheese and a few grinds of black pepper. Makes about 8 small servings.
spicegirlfla
I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.
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36 Comments
thekalechronicles
I would love this without the Amaretto.
spicegirlfla
I’ve done it with and without the Amaretto. Both are good, but the Amaretti, unless you just don’t like the taste, seems to intensify the flavors!
thekalechronicles
It’s the latter: I have a complete aversion to Amaretto and Amaretti — they remind me of cough syrup…
kitchenbelleicious
brilliant! I love gnocchi and it is not as hard as everyone thinks. The idea of using pumpkin with it can only be one of the most creative things ever. It looks delicious and perfect for thanksgiving or the day after
sprint2thetable
Love this idea! I made sweet potato gnocci last winter and loved it. I bet pumpkin is incredible – especially with the amaretti! Maybe with a bit of nutmeg too? Mmmm!
spicegirlfla
Yes, nutmeg needs to be in this!! Thanks for commenting on that. I’ve also made gnocci with sweet potato. I prefer it over using white potatoes!
Kristy
Linda, you have read my mind! The other day I told Mike that I wanted him to make me pumpkin gnocchi. We’ve never made it before, but one of my favorite dishes is Mike’s potato gnocchi. You couldn’t have posted this recipe at a more perfect time! Thank you. 🙂 And I’m so happy that you get to see your daughter next week. 🙂
spicegirlfla
I hope you try it out and let me know!
Sissi
These gnocchi sound very unusual and delicious! I would have never thought of combining pumpkin and amaretti!
spicegirlfla
It’s a very earthy, comforting dish!
ChgoJohn
I read this post and I swear I heard angels singing! What a great idea and wonderful way of saying, “Welcome home!” Your Son & Daughter are going to love it! I, too, am going to like it, once I make them. And I can’t wait to do so.
spicegirlfla
Lol…angels singing! What a compliment! I will remember that and tell my kids when we sit down for our gnocchi dinner!!
Chica Andaluza
You have a very lucky family – this sounds like an amazing way of combining flavours for gnocchi!
David
Looks beautiful. “…small bowl of comfort?” I’m going to need seconds!
spicegirlfla
Yes, when I saw small that’s for my daughter and I; my son on the other hand gets a full bowl!
Charles
I love gnocchi – so much! I’m picturing the pumpkin, but I’m unable to imagine what it would be like with amaretti in it! I love amaretti – It sure sounds like a fun combination though!
spicegirlfla
The amaretti really adds a nice depth of flavor; it’s not sweet like cookie tasting!
Food, Flowers, Herbs and Life!
My daughter will be home for Thanksgiving – not sure about my son (his schedule at work is unpredictable!). As a mom, too, I know how excited you are! Your gnocci looks so tasty! What a welcome home!
spicegirlfla
I begged my daughter to stretch out her stay, these kids are always so busy!
JamieAnne
This. Looks. Amazing.
forgottenbeast
I’ve always wanted to make homemade gnocchi, it’s on that never-ending “to cook” list. And yours does sound like the ultimate comfort food! I want a big bowl of gnocchi on this gray rainy day…
spicegirlfla
I hope you do place it on your “to cook” list…and if you do it with a friend, it makes it go alot quicker!
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
This is so inventive and refreshing. What a great combination. I love amaretti and Amaretto.
Karen
What a lovely meal to share with your family. A small bowl of comfort is right and I know that they will appreciate every comforting bite.
Lisa @smartfoodandfit
Awww, I could just feel the love you have for your children! So sweet. My mom and dad always cook amazing meals, especially around the holidays. I joke with my parents telling them they go out of their way to make special meals so we can stay longer at there house before we leave to see the in-laws.
I’ve always wanted to make pumpkin gnocci, I’ve made sweet potato gnocchi a few times with a butter sauce and love it but you version sounds amazing with Amaretti!
spicegirlfla
I think I actually do what you’re joking about to your parents…making all of Gina’s special foods so that she will miss coming home and want to come home more often!!
Ginger
Wow, this sounds so yummy! I haven’t tried making gnocchi yet but have read up on it quite a bit.
I’m so glad your kids will be with you 🙂 Mine are going with their dad, but that’s okay I suppose, sincw I get them every other day. Have a great time 🙂
spicegirlfla
My kids father lived out of state so I had them 24/7! But on Xmas I would fly up to Ohio and they would spend some time with him. It’s just a whole different way of raising kids in divorced situations!
yummychunklet
A sweet gnocchi with Amaretti cookie crumbs? Yum!
Geni - Sweet and Crumby
What a delicious sounding and looking recipe Linda! I wish I could come over to your house and you could show me how it’s done the RIGHT way. I went to a cooking class this weekend taught by Fabio from Top Chef. He was making butternut squash gnocchi. Not only did he leave out measurements almost all together but the gnocchi we got to taste was actually terrible. I was so sad because I really wanted to learn how to make it. Any tricks on shaping it?
spicegirlfla
How disappointing to attend a cooking class and not have a great recipe! I thought I’d be asking you for tips! The best way to learn is being right there watching, but what I can tell you from making gnocchi for many years, is really not to overwork the dough by starting with dryer pumpkin (or ricotta or potato), take your time, which can be time consuming and when you roll the shape, use your predominant thumb to roll down and up to form the shape. I wish we lived closer, I’d have you over!
France
What a great flavor combo. Amaretti and pumpkin sounds delightful and a nice twist on a classic! Gnocchi is such a pain in the a@! to make but soooo worth it!
Kelly
Oh Linda, I think this is my favourite one of your fall series 🙂 I’m positively swooning over the pumpkin pasta but it’s the Amaretti that gnocchid-it out of the park for me (!) add a little parm and fresh sage… I’m floating…
The Hook
I really have to broaden my tastes….
Great post, though!
Kathy
This looks so awesome! I have always wanted to make gnocci. You might have inspired me.
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