Few ingredients, lots of flavor. Gnocchi are one of the great classics and are also among the most beloved during the Guardea Gnocchi Festival. According to rural tradition, they are prepared around mid-August to celebrate the potato harvest with a large, festive meal.
The secret to a simple dish lies in the quality of the ingredients: ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil, which brings all the flavors together with its delicate aroma and balanced taste.
Ingredients (serves 4)
For the gnocchi
- 1 kg of yellow-fleshed potatoes
- 300 g of 00 flour (approximately)
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch of salt
For the sauce
- 700 g of tomato puree
- 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil from Umbria
- 1 clove of garlic
- A few fresh basil leaves
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- Boil the potatoes with their skins on, peel them while they’re still hot, and mash them. Let them cool before working with them.
- Combine the flour, egg, and a pinch of salt, then knead quickly until the mixture is soft.
- Shape the dough into small loaves, cut them into gnocchi, and score them with a fork or a gnocchi scorer.
- In a skillet, sauté the garlic clove in extra virgin olive oil until golden brown; “L’Eremo” extra virgin olive oil is perfect for this.
- Add the tomato sauce, season with salt, and cook over low heat for about 20 minutes. When it’s done cooking, stir in the fresh basil, torn by hand.
- Cook the gnocchi in a large pot of salted water. When they float to the surface, drain them with a slotted spoon and transfer them directly to the sauce. Add grated Parmesan cheese, to taste.
- Gently stir and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.
Tips from the Oil Mill
Extra virgin olive oil isn’t just for making the soffritto: when added raw, just before serving the gnocchi, it adds fragrance, freshness, and a flavor that enhances the tomato and basil without overpowering them.
With a local extra virgin olive oil that has a balanced fruitiness, such as that produced by the Cooperativa Oleificio di Guardea, even a simple recipe becomes an experience that reflects the region and its traditions.
A simple, wholesome dish, perfect for a family lunch or for recreating the authentic flavors of the Guardea Gnocchi Festival.
