Pumpkin Gnocchi with Spicy Shrimp Ragout

Pumpkin gnocchi with spicy shrimp ragout is a flavorful dish that blends the sweetness of pumpkin with the decisive taste of shrimp, all enriched with a spicy note. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist on this dish that combines tradition and innovation.

Ingredients

• 600 g of pumpkin
• 200 g of type 00 flour, plus more for working
• 1 egg (optional, but helps to bind the dough)
• Salt and nutmeg to taste

For the spicy shrimp ragout:

• 400 g of fresh or frozen shrimp
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 fresh or dry red chili pepper (depending on the desired level of spiciness)
• 200 ml of tomato puree
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Preparation

1. Start with preparing the pumpkin. Cut it into pieces, remove the seeds, and cook it in steam or in the oven until soft.
2. Mash the cooked pumpkin with a fork or pass it through a potato masher until you get a puree.
3. Add the sifted flour, a pinch of salt, and nutmeg. If you decide to use the egg, add it at this time. Knead until you have a smooth mixture.
4. Sprinkle some flour on a work surface, take a piece of dough and roll it to create cylinders about 2 cm in diameter. Cut the cylinders into pieces about 2 cm long to make the gnocchi.
5. Create the typical grooves on the gnocchi by rolling them on a fork or on a gnocchi board.
6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi. They’re ready when they float to the surface, usually after a couple of minutes.

For the shrimp ragout: 7. Clean the shrimp by removing the shell and the intestine. If they are large, you can cut them into pieces or leave them whole. 8. In a frying pan, sauté the chopped garlic and chili in hot oil. 9. Add the shrimp and sauté for a few minutes. 10. Pour in the tomato puree, adjust the salt, and cook on low heat until the sauce has thickened slightly. 11. Remove the garlic and add the sautéed shrimp to the tomato sauce, flavoring for a few minutes.

12. When the gnocchi are ready, drain them with a slotted spoon and add them directly to the pan with the shrimp ragout. Sauté everything in the pan for a minute.
13. Serve the pumpkin gnocchi with spicy shrimp ragout immediately, garnishing with fresh chopped parsley.

Curiosity

Spicy shrimp ragout is an unconventional seasoning for gnocchi, which are often associated with more traditional condiments like meat ragout or butter and sage. This version with shrimp and chili offers a meeting between land and sea that is characteristic of some Italian coastal areas, where seafood is commonly included in original and tasty dishes.