1½ pounds peeled, seeded pumpkin or butternut squash, cubed
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 large egg yolks, beaten
¾ cup flour (approximately)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter or truffle butter (if available)
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread the pumpkin in a baking dish, cover, and bake until tender, about 20 minutes. Mash it into a bowl.
Mix the mashed pumpkin with half the cheese and all the cinnamon. Season with salt and pepper. Beat in the egg yolks and stir in the flour, adding enough flour to make a soft dough.
Pack the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a plain 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) tube. Bring a pot of salted water to a simmer. Force the pumpkin mixture through the pastry bag, cutting off 1-inch (2.5-cm) lengths as it emerges from the bag and letting the pieces drop into the simmering water. The best way to do this is to rest the tip of the bag on the edge of the saucepan so you have one hand free to cut the gnocchi mixture as it comes out of the bag.
Simmer the gnocchi about 30 seconds. As they are cooked and rise to the surface, scoop them Out of the saucepan and into a bowl of ice water. Drain them after they have been chilled.
To serve, reheat the gnocchi briefly in simmering water, drain them well, and serve tossed gently with plain or truffle butter. Dust with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
Posted: 11/1/2009 9:08:52 AM