Green Gnocchetti

Green gnocchetti are a colorful and flavorful variation of traditional gnocchi. Typically, green vegetables, such as spinach, are added to the basic ingredients of gnocchi to achieve the characteristic green color and an additional nutritional contribution. Here is a basic recipe for green gnocchetti:

Ingredients

• 600 g of potatoes
• 200 g of fresh spinach (or 100 g if frozen and already squeezed)
• 200 g of 00 flour, plus more for processing
• 1 egg
• Salt
• Nutmeg (optional)

Preparation

1. Cook the potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain them, peel them, and pass them through a potato ricer to obtain a very fine puree.

2. Meanwhile, cook the spinach in slightly salted boiling water for a few minutes. Drain the spinach well and squeeze it to remove all the excess water. You can use a clean towel to squeeze it out better. Finely chop the cooked spinach.

3. In a large bowl, mix the potato puree with the chopped spinach. Add the egg, flour, a pinch of salt, and, if you like, a pinch of nutmeg.

4. Knead everything until you have a homogeneous mixture that is not too sticky (if necessary, add a little more flour).

5. Divide the dough into pieces and form “ropes” about 1 cm thick, then cut them into small gnocchetti.

6. Cook the green gnocchetti in plenty of boiling salted water. When they float to the surface, wait another couple of minutes then remove them with a slotted spoon.

7. Dress the green gnocchetti with your favorite sauce. They go very well with butter and sage-based sauces, meat ragù, or even tomato and basil sauces.

Fun Facts

Green gnocchetti are perfect for celebrating spring or for a touch of color on the table during the holidays. Thanks to the spinach, they are enriched with iron and vitamins, making the dish even healthier. In some variations, other green vegetables such as parsley or nettles can be used to achieve different nuances of flavor and color.