Gnocchi with Tomato and Basil Sauce

Gnocchi with tomato and basil sauce is a classic dish of Italian cuisine. Here’s how you can prepare it:

Ingredients

For the gnocchi:

• 1 kg of floury potatoes
• 300 g of type 00 flour
• 1 egg
• Salt to taste

For the tomato and basil sauce:

• 800 g of peeled tomatoes
• 2 cloves of garlic
• A bunch of fresh basil
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Sugar to taste (optional)

Preparation

Gnocchi:

1. Boil the potatoes in boiling water until they are tender.
2. Drain the potatoes and mash them while still hot, using a potato masher.
3. On a work surface, form a volcano with the flour and place the mashed potatoes, egg, and a pinch of salt in the center.
4. Knead everything until you obtain a homogeneous mixture that is not overworked.
5. Take pieces of dough and form long cylinders, then cut them into pieces of about 2 cm.
6. Roll each piece over a gnocchi board or fork to give them the typical ridged shape.
7. Cook the gnocchi in plenty of salted water and remove them with a slotted spoon as soon as they float to the surface.

Sauce:

1. In a pan, fry the garlic in extra virgin olive oil until golden.
2. Add the peeled tomatoes and lightly crush them with a wooden spoon.
3. Cook the sauce over low heat for about 15-20 minutes, adding salt and a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes are too acidic.
4. At the end of cooking, add the fresh basil torn by hand.
5. Dress the gnocchi with the tomato and basil sauce and serve hot.

You can garnish the dish with some fresh basil leaves and if you wish, sprinkle with grated Parmesan before serving.

Curiosity

Gnocchi have a very ancient tradition in Italy and are linked to numerous legends and superstitions. For example, it is said that every Thursday in Rome gnocchi are eaten to bring good luck. The tradition dates back to the time when, on the day dedicated to Jupiter, these simple pasta morsels were prepared as a sign of abundance and prosperity.