Sweet potato gnocchi is a fall favorite side dish that is easy to make and can be served in a number of ways.
What is Gnocchi?
Pronounced: N(Y)OK-ee
Gnocchi is an Italian dumpling traditionally made with flour, egg, salt, and potato. The dough is rolled into long logs about the circumference of a cork, then cut into bite size pieces. Texture is added with a fork or gnocchi board before the gnocchi are boiled in salted water. Gnocchi is traditionally a first course alternative to soup, but can also be used in place of a pasta side. Using sweet potatoes in place of potatoes puts a sweet twist on the classic.
Why Use Sweet Potatoes?
Mostly, because we can. But, substituting sweet potatoes for traditional potatoes adds sweetness, color, and a fall vibe to the dish. It also drives the dish away from broths and pasta sauces while opening up all the flavor combinations that you’d normally pair with sweet potatoes: Like the combinations below.
Try Sweet Potato Gnocchi With These Toppings
You can eat them on their own, but we suggest trying some of these combinations:
- Honey, walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese (a Dinner’s Late favorite)
- Brown sugar, cinnamon, and mini marshmallows (toasted)
- Brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and salt
- Maple syrup, butter, and toasted pecans
- Sour cream, chives, salt and pepper
- Game Day Chili
Lets Roll
It is traditional to add a ribbed texture to the outside of gnocchi. The texture is normally added by rolling the dough over a gnocchi board, but the back of a fork or several skewers laid flat and parallel can also do the trick. While the ribbing adds to the aesthetic of the dish, the real function is to create surfaces that will hold sauce. I like to to give my sweet potato gnocchi the traditional treatment, but this step is completely optional.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Honey, Blue Cheese, and Walnuts
Equipment
- 1 Gnocci Board Optional
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- 1 Lb Sweet Potatoes
- 1½ Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 Large Egg
- 1½ Tsp Salt
- 1/8 Tsp Black Pepper
Topping
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Crumbled Blue Cheese
- 1 Tbsp Walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Use a fork to poke several holes into your sweet potato for venting, then bake for 45 minutes. Remove and allow the sweet potato to cool until comfortable to handle.
- Bring a large pot of well salted water to boil.
- Remove the flesh of the sweet potato and discard the skins. Place the flesh in a large mixing bowl and mash with a potato masher or ricer. Move the puree to a lightly floured work surface and form a well. (Mashed sweet potato volcano)
- Combine salt, pepper, and 1 Cup of flour, then evenly spread the mixture over the sweet potato well. Crack egg into a small bowl and lightly beat. Add egg to center of well and slowly incorporate the ingredients with a fork.
- Fold all ingredients into each other and lightly knead until a dough forms. Separate the dough into four equal balls. On a well floured surface, roll each ball out into snake about the width of a cork. Cut each snake into bite size pieces.
- Using a gnocchi board (or the back of a fork) and your thumb, press and roll each piece to form a ridged texture
- Work in batches to cook the gnocchi in the well salted boiling water. Each batch will take 2-3 minutes to complete cooking depending on the size of your dumplings. The gnocchi will float to the surface when they are done cooking.
- Remove the gnocchi from the boiling water, plate, then drizzle with honey and sprinkle with blue cheese and walnuts.
Notes
- If short on time, you can “bake” your sweet potato by poking holes in the sweet potato, wrapping it with a damp paper towel, then microwaving for 7 minuets.
- Step 5 is encouraged, but completely optional. The ribbed texture allows the gnocchi to hold more sauce.
Delicious! One thought- next time I might like a little more of a “sauce” without really changing the flavor. What would you suggest to make this more “saucy?”
Thanks for trying my recipe! I have a recipe for blue cheese dressing under my post for smoked chicken wings. A drizzle that may sauce things up a bit for you! Ken’s also makes a good blue cheese dressing if you’re looking to less stress route.
I didn’t make ‘em that pretty, but they cooked up perfectly. I need more practice so I must eat more of these gnocchis.