Gnudi facts for kids
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Ricotta gnudi with strawberry sauce (as a dessert)
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| Type | Dumpling |
|---|---|
| Course | Entrée |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Region or state | Tuscany |
| Main ingredients | Ricotta cheese, spinach, Pecorino Toscano |
| Similar dishes | Gnocchi |
Gnudi are soft, pillowy dumplings from Italy. They are similar to gnocchi, but instead of potato, gnudi are made mostly with creamy ricotta cheese. This makes them lighter and fluffier than traditional gnocchi.
What Are Gnudi?
Gnudi are a type of dumpling that comes from the Tuscany region of Italy. They are made from ricotta cheese, often mixed with spinach, and a little bit of semolina flour. The word gnudi means "naked" in the Tuscan dialect. This name comes from the idea that they are like "naked ravioli." They are just the delicious filling of a ravioli, without the pasta wrapper around them.
How Are Gnudi Served?
In Tuscany, gnudi are traditionally served very simply. They are often tossed in a light sauce made from melted butter and fresh sage leaves. Then, they are sprinkled with grated Parmesan or Pecorino Toscano cheese. This simple way of serving lets the creamy taste of the gnudi shine through.
Other Names for Gnudi
Outside of Tuscany, these dumplings have a few other interesting names in Italy. Sometimes, they are called "strangolapreti," which means "priest choker." This funny name might come from how delicious and filling they are! They can also be called "malfatti," meaning "badly made," perhaps because they don't have a perfect, uniform shape. More simply, they are often known as "gnocchi di ricotta e spinaci," which just means "ricotta and spinach gnocchi."
Gnudi's Popularity
Gnudi became quite popular in the United States after a special version was served at a famous restaurant called The Spotted Pig in New York City. This helped introduce many people to these unique and tasty Italian dumplings.
