Ñoquis del 29 (Uruguayan Potato Gnocchi for the 29th)
In short: Soft baked-potato gnocchi in a garlicky tomato sauce, the dish many Uruguayans eat on the 29th of the month for luck. It takes about 2 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 2 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 430 kcal
On the 29th of the month many Uruguayan families sit down to a plate of gnocchi, partly out of habit and partly for luck. The cheap, filling potato dumplings are said to bring money in the month ahead, and some people tuck a coin or bill under the plate. These gnocchi are light and pillowy, made with baked potato and just enough flour, and served in a simple garlic and tomato sauce with grated cheese.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Bake the whole potatoes for about 60 minutes, until completely soft inside.
- Peel the potatoes while they are hot and press them through a ricer or mash them until smooth. Spread the mash out on a board and let it steam and cool for 10 minutes.
- Make a well in the mash and add the egg, salt and flour. Mix with a fork and then your hands, just until a soft dough forms. Do not overwork it.
- Divide the dough into 6 pieces and roll each into a rope 2 cm (3/4 in) thick. Cut the ropes into 2.5 cm (1 in) pieces and press each lightly with a fork if you like.
- For the sauce, warm the oil and garlic over medium heat for 1 minute until the garlic is pale gold. Add the tomatoes, oregano, sugar and salt and simmer for 20 minutes, until thick.
- Boil the gnocchi in batches in a large pot of salted water for 2 to 3 minutes, until they float. Lift them out with a slotted spoon.
- Toss the gnocchi with the sauce and serve with the grated cheese.
Tips
- Bake the potatoes rather than boiling them. They hold less water, so the dough needs less flour and the gnocchi stay light.
- Test one dumpling in boiling water first. If it falls apart, work 2 tablespoons of flour into the dough.
Questions and answers
Why do Uruguayans eat gnocchi on the 29th?
It is a monthly custom. People eat them partly out of habit and partly for luck, often with money tucked under the plate, and they are a cheap meal at the end of the month.
Can I freeze gnocchi?
Yes. Freeze the shaped gnocchi on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Cook them from frozen and allow an extra minute.
What sauces go with Uruguayan gnocchi?
A simple tomato and garlic sauce is the most common. Meat sauce (tuco) and creamy ham sauces are also popular.
How long does it take to make Ñoquis del 29 (Uruguayan Potato Gnocchi for the 29th)?
About 2 h 15 min in total: 45 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ñoquis del 29 (Uruguayan Potato Gnocchi for the 29th)?
About 430 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 70 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 430 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 880 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
