Gnocchi, are you a lover or a hater ? I’ve always leaned more towards the hater side. Something about those sticky dough boiled balls. Which really makes no sense since I love spatzels, pierogies and Czech dumplings.
Those feelings went flying out the window a couple of weeks ago. We were at a local favorite eatery when I realised my gnocchi aversion may be heading for a gnocchi love fest. I ordered a succulent duck breast which was served with a mushroom cream sauce over potato gnocchi and grilled peaches. It sounded a bit strange but that duck breast was calling me. Thruth be told I wanted to lift the plate up to my face and lick clean every milimeter of it. Unfortunately I was in public and well plate, or finger licking, is not something I ever do.
Still high on that perfect potato gnocchi smoothered in creamy mushroom sauce, I decided to try making gnocchi at home. Not wanting to dilute the memory the decision was to make a different type of gnocchi. Some research yieled a variety to choose from but Pumkin was the winner.
If you search pumkin gnocchi the most, or really the only way you’ll see it prepared is with a brown butter and sage sauce. Though it sounded good that was not what I wanted. Nope it needed a kick to it…it needed curry…
You are probably wondering what on earth has this crazy chick done to gnocchi. I Spicie Foodie-fied it, or spicy-fied it. Haha, those words will surely have you thinking I’m mad. Only a little bit… I dreamt of a soft pumpkin gnocchi lightly sauteed in olive oil and drizzled with a creamy coconut curry sauce. Pumpkin and curry sauces go together like strawberries and cream, awesome!
Being a novice gnocchi maker I choose to follow the best and easiest recipe I could find. The recipe belongs to Nicky of Delicious Days, a scrumptious website. Here recipe and instructions were easy to follow, plus her photos had my mouth watering. The only change I made to her pumpkin gnocchi recipe was to omit the ground nutmeg and exchange the browned butter sage sauce for the curry sauce. Please visit DeliciousDays.com for the Pumpkin Gnocchi recipe here, http://www.deliciousdays.com/archives/2008/11/14/not-again-dishes-pumpkin-gnocchi/ . Below is how I made the sauce.
Curried Pumpkin Gnocchi
1 batch of prepared Pumpkin Gnocchi per the Delicous Days recipe.
1-2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 tbsp red thai paste
200 ml coconut milk
splash fish oil
1. Follow and prepare the gnocchi per the Delicous Days recipe except do not cook the boiled gnocchi in the brown butter. Instead after draining the boiled gnocchi lightly saute in some olive oil for about 5 minutes stirring often. Remove from pan and set aside.
2. The curried sauce : In a pan/pot over low flame mix the coconut milk with the red curry paste until fully dissolved. Add the splash of fish sauce. Taste and adjust if desired.
Serve the sauce on the side or drizzled over the pumpkin gnocchi, and some fresh chopped red chile if desired.
The combination of sweet pumpkin with the spiciness and saltiness of the curry sauce was just perfect. After I began making this dish I had second thoughts that perhaps it wouldn’t taste good, but it tasted really good. The flavors really came together. Even my non-gnocchi lover husband said these weren’t bad. A huge statement in regards to gnocchi for him. The only thing I would do different is work on the gnocchi shapes and sizes. I made them a little too big because I forgot that once boiled they would become larger. D’uh! It is definitely something I’d make again.
Have a great weekend!! Don’t forget to send in your submissions for this month’s YBR.
I love it. Still the season, but taking the flavors somewhere else. I could dive right in.
Thank you Angela :) Too bad there isn’t digital delivery to send you some.
I’m italian, I love pumpkin gnocchi and I love this exotic version! :)
Your blog is beautiful!!!
Vivi
Thank you Vivi :)
Well I am one of those who have made pumpkin gnocchi with brown butter and sage : ) I LOVE gnocchi, and your Spicie-fied version is fantabulous. Glad you have become a gnocchi convert. You are making me want to go Trixify something ; )
Yes Trixify something, because I love all your recipes :) Can’t wait to try another gnocchi at home.
Pumpkin gnocchi is a huge favorite in my house when I have the energy to make it… I have to admit we usually make it with browned butter & sage – I love the curried take on it.
Very lovely.
Hi Cher, I made a very small batch so the time wasn’t too bad. Thanks :)
Gourmet gnochi I love the color in these just beautiful to serve!
Thank you Claudia :)
Nancy, that looks amazing! I was always a gnocchi hater until I MADE gnocchi. There is where the difference lies! Your gnocchi is truly stunning!
Really Ann? Hmn, I might have to keep practicing then. Thank you :)
This looks so amazing! I love the bright orange color from the curry and pumpkin, a really great combination! What a great recipe and lovely photos as always :)
Thank you Amalia!
what an interesting twist to serving gnocchi. :)
Thanks!
I want some! I know it tasted good because I totally agree with you that the sweetness of pumpkin paired with spicy and curry flavors is outstanding. Well done! :)
Thank you Ramona. I loved reading your feedback as I know you are a curry expert :)
Wow, I would *love* this recipe! And the colors are gorgeous, too. Very creative :)
Thanks Kiri :)
This is like the perfect marriage of flavors…. Pumpkin , gnocchi and curry…
What else anyone can ask…
Beautiful…
Hehe, Thank you Reem :)
I LOVE gnocchi AND I still have sugar pumpkins that I haven’t used yet which will be going into this recipe!
Hi Amy, I’m sure you’ll make an awesome tasting gnocchi.
I love gnocchi, but never tried like this..sound very tasty of course! Great pictures!
Thank you Sandra :)
I am in love with this flavor combo! I just made a soup with the same flavor profile- but gnocchi sounds amazing!
Hi Lindsey, Thanks!
Lovely idea! I love gnocchi but sometimes the sauces just don’t stand up to it. Curry would, I bet. Delicious.
Thanks Adora :)
I’m with you. I love dumplings of all shapes and sizes and flavors. These looks particularly delightful!
Thank you Frank. It is a great compliment coming from you.
Oh, I have a favorite restaurant of mine in Ulster County, NY called the Peekamoose and they make the BEST gnocchi I have EVER tasted! They are sautéed to a slightly crispy perfection, and are like little pillows of goodness, so delicate and yet full of flavor. Now I must make a trip there!
That sounds really good Sharon !
Come now Nancy, you never lick your fingers or plate? NEVER? Not even in private? Not sure I believe that but I, for one, would be licking my plate if you set this before me. Reminds me of our mutual friend Denise’s pumpkin coconut curry soup, which I made and downed three bowlfuls of. After the last bowl, when I realised I simply couldn’t eat any more, I wiped the bowl clean with my finger and then licked it. Manners be damned! ;-)
Ruby I swear I don’t :) Not trying to be snobbish but I just have this weird thing about it. But I will admit to using bread or utensils to get every bit off my plate. Pumpkin coconut curry soup is awesome! I’ve shared my recipe and published it as well. You are so right though downing 3 bowls of it wouldn’t seem enough. Lol, yes manners be damned :)
Pumpkin gnocchi in a curry sauce… unbelievably delightful! I absolutely must try this!
I’m crazy like that,lol!
I always use browned butter to top my pumpkin gnocchi. Thank you so much for sharing this curry sauce! Can’t wait to try it.
My pleasure and hope you like the different flavor.
I have just discovered your blog and I really love it. I am an Asian Fusion food blogger living in Thailand and always get so excited when I see interesting creations with Thai flavours. This dish is awesome, such a good idea!
Thank you and happy to meet another Thai food lover:)