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Butternut Squash Gnocchi

Sunset
Butternut Squash Gnocchi
Photo: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Dan Becker
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Worthy of a Special Occasion

Time: 1 hour. These little dumplings are ever so slightly sweet.

Total Time: 1 hour(s)
Yield: Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 1  butternut squash (about 2 lbs.)
  • About 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4  teaspoon  ground white pepper
  • 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground nutmeg
  • 3  to 3 1/2 cups flour, plus more for shaping
  • 3  tablespoons  butter, melted
  • 1/2  cup  freshly shredded parmesan cheese (or other hard cheese, such as asiago or pecorino), plus more at the table
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. With a fork or sharp knife, poke holes all over squash. Microwave it on high 10 minutes. Let sit until cool enough to handle. Halve squash lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds. Flesh should be tender when scraped with a fork; if it isn't, microwave on high (cut side down) in 1-minute intervals until tender. Let sit until cool enough to handle. Scrape out flesh (discard peel) and mash until smooth.

2. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine 2 cups mashed squash (save any extra for another use), 1/2 tsp. salt, the white pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, until a dough forms (it will pull away from inside of bowl).

3. Turn dough out on a generously floured work surface. With well-floured hands, knead dough 10 to 12 times.

4. Divide dough in half and cover 1 batch with plastic wrap. Roll other batch into a 3/4-in.-thick rope and cut into 1/2-in.-long pieces. Put pieces on a floured baking sheet and set aside. Repeat with remaining dough.

5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil gnocchi until they rise to the surface, about 4 minutes; cook 30 seconds longer and then lift with a slotted spoon, making sure water drains from gnocchi, and place in a large serving bowl. Gently toss with butter and top with cheese and a sprinkling of black pepper. Serve hot and pass extra cheese at the table.

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
286 (21% from fat)
Protein:
8.7g
Fat:
6.7g (sat 3.9)
Carbohydrate:
47g
Fiber:
2.9g
Sodium:
305mg
Cholesterol:
16mg
Sunset, OCTOBER 2008

Member Ratings and Reviews

5 stars
Amanda
This was really good. I made it with white whole wheat flour, and served it with a simple sauce of garlic, spinach, olive oil, and vegetable stock. I'll definitely make this again.08/16/09

5 stars
vondavox
I liked it, but found the accompanying butter "sauce" to be too light for the gnocchi. Would prefer a more substantial sauce, I think. Made it as the recipe stated the first time, but the second time, I used a canned organic butternut squash puree--the fresh butternut didn't seem to make much of a difference as the second attempt was just as good as the first, and way eaiser. I also added sage to the butter sauce second time around. I think the next time I'll try canned pumpkin puree for a pumpkin version.02/21/09