https://delectablediction.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2-02-return-to-me.m4a

I remember the night very well ~ we were sitting on the terrace (terrazzo) at trattoria alla Fontaniva in Italy… the kids were given an aperitif (a big deal to a 10, 8 & 4 year old… an even bigger deal for their Mommy, still new to the custom!) of Prosecco. Mikaela was the first to order this dish, then Toren ~ it quickly became a family favorite… Pumpkin Gnocchi with Pear, Walnut and Gorgonzola sauce! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In order to have light pockets of heaven, go easy with the flour.  Pumpkin gnocchi, like potato gnocchi can be a little sticky ~ it will be ok, trust me!  Butternut squash has less water (therefore less flour will be needed), and can easily be found in your market, unlike the pumpkin, which only seems to make an appearance when we need a pumpkin head to grace our front porch!

The amount of flour you need to make the dough will vary depending on how moist your pumpkin or winter squash is.

Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter

• 1 cup of puréed cooked pumpkin or winter squash (canned or homemade)*
• 1 cup ricotta (use whole milk for best results)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 T brown sugar
• 1/4 cup parmesan or pecorino cheese
• 3-4 cups cake flour, Italian “oo” flour, or all-purpose flour
• 2-3 teaspoons minced fresh sage
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• Black pepper to taste
• Truffle salt to taste (optional)

To make your own pumpkin purée, use a strong chef’s knife to cut a small sugar pumpkin (or other winter squash) in half. Scoop out the seeds and strings. Lay the pumpkin face down on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes to an hour, until soft. Allow to cool, then scoop out the flesh and mash with a fork. Alternatively, if you are working with leftover fresh pumpkin pieces, roast or boil them until tender, and then cut away and discard the skin.

Mix the pumpkin puree, ricotta, parmesan, eggs and salt and sugar together in a large bowl. Add 2 cups of the flour and mix well with your hands. The dough should be very sticky, impossible to work. Add another half cup of flour and mix that in — you want the dough to still be pretty sticky, but pliable enough to shape into a large log. If it’s not, keep adding a little flour at a time until you can get a soft dough that will be rollable. It should never require more than 4 cups of flour. Cover the dough with a damp towel.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add enough salt to it so that the water tastes salty. Let this simmer while you make the gnocchi.

To make the gnocchi, spread some flour on a large work surface and have more flour ready. Cut the dough log into four equal pieces. Take one piece and cut it in half. Roll the piece of dough into a snake about 1/2 inch thick, then cut it into 1 inch pieces.

Dust the gnocchi with a little flour, then use one finger to push the dumpling up onto the tines of a fork. Let the gnoccho drop back to the work surface. This does two things: It makes the dumpling a little thinner and lighter, and it creates depressions and ridges that sauce can hold onto. You can also roll your thumb over the gnocchi to create a little pocket. If all this is too much bother for you, skip it. The gnocchi will not be quite as good, but they’ll still taste fine.

Repeat this process with the other piece of dough and then, using a metal spatula, gently pick up a few gnocchi at a time and drop them into the water. Increase the heat to a rolling boil. Boil these gnocchi until they float, then remove them with a slotted spoon or spider skimmer. Lay the cooked gnocchi on a baking sheet and toss with a little olive oil so they don’t stick together.

 *Repeat with remaining dough OR once sliced, lay flat on a parchment lined cookie sheet, freeze, then pop into a freezer bag for the next time!

When all the gnocchi are made, heat the butter over medium-high heat until it stops frothing. Add enough gnocchi to the pan to cover it in one layer. Do not let them stack up on each other. Let them fry undisturbed for 90 seconds. Sprinkle half the sage over the pan. Cook for another minute, then turn out onto plates. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi.

If you have to do this in several batches, keep the finished gnocchi on baking sheet in the oven set on Warm. Serve as soon as they’re all done, dusted with black pepper and the truffle salt, if you have it. Enjoy ~

pear-walnut sauce

• 3 ripe pears, peeled & sliced
• 1/4 – 1/2 c unsalted butter
• pinch of kosher salt
• 2 T brown sugar
• 1 cup wine (for poaching pears) *i’ve used both red and white with good outcome
• 1/2 c walnuts, toasted & cooled
• 1/2 c gorgonzola, mascarpone or goat’s cheese, optional but OH SO GOOD!

Place pears in a small saucepan; cover with wine; bring to low boil for about 10 minutes.  Drain pears, reserving liquid.  In a large skillet, melt butter and sugar over medium heat; add pears, gently stirring with a wooden spoon. Add walnuts and stir to coat, adding poaching liquid if needed. Turn heat to medium high, add a layer of gnocchi to skillet, turning over gently to coat, repeat ~ place in serving dish or individual bowls, and top with crumbled gorgonzola dolce, mascarpone or goat’s cheese.