Have you ever been eating a big bowl of pasta and thought, “You know what would go great with this? A big freaking potato!” Well then friend, do I have the food for you: gnocchi! What is gnocchi made of? Is it just potatoes? What is gnocchi? Or should I say, what are gnocchi? Is gnocchi even pasta? We’ll get answers to all these questions and more, faster than you can say gnocchi.
So what are gnocchi? Gnocchi are small, soft, chewy lumps of dough mixed with other ingredients to create dumpling-like lumps of pasta. But wait, is gnocchi pasta or a dumpling?
Gnocchi is pasta and it also is not pasta. It really depends on who you ask and what version you make. The general consensus among classic Italian chefs is that gnocchi is a dumpling that is eaten like pasta. The first gnocchi was typically made with either breadcrumbs or straight up seminola flour. That flour based gnocchi would probably be considered pasta. But after the 16th century, potatoes and tomatoes made their way to Italy and potato gnocchi became all the rage. Those little doughy balls typically only had flour as a binding agent instead of the star. So those were considered more of a dumpling.
Despite the weight of the potatoes, it’s intended to be soft and light. Also, it doesn’t taste amazing unless a chef chooses to include some vegetables or herbs in their Gnocchi. Gnocchi typically tastes bland. Its flavor is similar to that of regular pasta cooked.
What is gnocchi made of?
More often than not, if you go out to an Italian restaurant and order gnocchi, you’re going to get potato gnocchi. Potato gnocchi is made out of potatoes, flour, and eggs. You can also throw some salt, cheese, and semolina flour in there, if you want to get fancy. Another type of gnocchi is ricotta gnocchi, which is made with ricotta cheese, flour, and egg yolks. Lesser known types of gnocchi in the U.S. include bread gnocchi (made with a base of torn bread soaked in milk), semolina gnocchi aka gnocchi alla Romana (made with semolina flour), and gnocchi Parisienne (made with pâte à choux, the same dough used to make eclairs and gougeres).
Most gnocchi recipes include some sort of animal product such as egg, cheese, or milk, so it is not traditionally vegan.
Is gnocchi gluten free?
Even though potato gnocchi is made with a base of mashed or riced potato, there is still usually some flour used as a binder, so gnocchi are not gluten free. But there are some gluten-free gnocchi varieties out there made by pretty big companies like De Cecco and Cappello’s.
Is gnocchi pasta or potato?
FAQ
How would you describe a gnocchi?
Does gnocchi taste like potatoes?
Is gnocchi healthier than pasta?
What is similar to gnocchi?
What is gnocchi made of?
Gnocchi is a type of Italian dumpling that is made from either potatoes or semolina flour. This dish can be served as an appetizer, main course, side dish, or even dessert. Gnocchi has been around for centuries and many different variations have been created over the years.
What does gnocchi taste like?
What we know for sure is that when you cook gnocchi properly, your taste is going to be buttery and flavorful. The flavor alone is not heavy and is very light because the dishes that use gnocchi are meant to add their own flavor with sauce, soup, or other ingredients. What Is The Texture Of Gnocchi? Gnocchi has a pretty unique texture as well.
Are gnocchi pasta?
Gnocchi are considered pasta, but they are a kind of Italian dumplings made of potatoes, flour and other ingredients added at your choice. What do gnocchi taste like?
What should gnocchi dough look like?
The dough should feel light, slightly elastic, and a little tacky. It won’t be as smooth as pasta dough and may look a bit rough. If your gnocchi dough feels too soft and sticky to handle, add another tablespoon or two of flour. You may not need to use all the flour. It will depend on how ‘wet’ the potatoes are. Shape the gnocchi.