Ricette di Sicilia
Cibo, cultura e tradizioni siciliane
Aubergine Gnocchi with Cherry Tomato Sauce: A Light and Sunny Sicilian Starter
Whip up these aubergine gnocchi with a fresh cherry tomato sauce — a fragrant, summery dish bursting with Mediterranean charm!
📖 What is it
Whip up these aubergine gnocchi with a fresh cherry tomato sauce — a fragrant, summery dish bursting with Mediterranean charm!
🛒 Ingredients
▸ For the gnocchi
- ✓ 1 kg aubergines
- ✓ 300 g plain flour
- ✓ 2 tablespoons grated Sicilian pecorino
- ✓ 1 egg
- ✓ fresh basil, to taste
- ✓ salt, to taste
- ✓ freshly ground black pepper
▸ For the sauce
- ✓ 400 g Pachino cherry tomatoes
- ✓ 2 garlic cloves
- ✓ extra virgin olive oil, as needed
- ✓ fresh basil, to taste
- ✓ grated aged Ragusano cheese (DOP)
📊 Nutritional Information
Dive into the vibrant colours and scents of Sicily with these aubergine gnocchi served alongside a bright, fresh cherry tomato sauce. This dish captures the essence of warm summer days, the scent of freshly picked basil, and the sweet juiciness of tomatoes ripened under the Sicilian sun, offering a truly authentic and comforting culinary experience.
👨🍳 Preparation
- 1
Wash and dry the aubergines, then wrap them in foil and roast in the oven at 200°C for about 30 minutes.
- 2
Once cooked, halve them, scoop out the flesh and finely chop it with a knife.
- 3
Warm a drizzle of olive oil with a garlic clove and gently fry the aubergine flesh for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool.
- 4
In a bowl, combine the aubergine, egg, pecorino, torn basil leaves, salt and pepper. Sift in the flour and knead until you have a soft but firm dough.
- 5
Leave to rest for 20 minutes, then roll the dough into logs and cut into small pieces. Roll each piece over the tines of a fork to create the classic ridges, then place on a floured tray.
- 6
For the sauce, gently fry the garlic in extra virgin olive oil, then add the quartered cherry tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper and basil.
- 7
Cook the gnocchi in salted boiling water until they float to the surface, then drain and toss briefly in the tomato sauce.
- 8
Serve topped with a generous grating of aged Ragusano cheese and fresh basil leaves.
💡 Tips and Variations
- •
For an extra kick, add a touch of fresh chilli to the sauce or sprinkle with grated salted ricotta to bring a lovely savoury note.
- •
To deepen the aroma, drizzle a little garlic-infused extra virgin olive oil over the dish just before serving for an irresistible fragrance.
- •
For a richer twist, swap some of the aubergines for sweet potatoes, resulting in softer gnocchi with a subtle sweetness.
- •
If you prefer a vegan option, skip the salted ricotta and enrich the sauce with chopped black olives and capers for a bold Mediterranean flavour.
- •
Use a coarse grater to prepare the aubergines and be sure to squeeze out any excess moisture to ensure your gnocchi hold together beautifully.
- •
A little secret to boost umami is stirring in a teaspoon of anchovy paste into the sauce — it blends seamlessly without overpowering the other flavours.
- •
Remember, the key to this dish lies in the gentle, attentive cooking that lets the delicate ingredients shine.
📦 Storage
- • Place the uncooked gnocchi on a lightly floured tray, cover with cling film and keep in the fridge — best eaten within 12 hours to enjoy their freshness.
- • Once cooked, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours, adding a splash of extra virgin olive oil to stop them sticking together.
- • For longer storage, freeze the uncooked gnocchi in a single layer on a tray until firm, then transfer to freezer bags suitable for freezing.
🍷 Pairing
To complement the gentle flavours of this dish, opt for a Sicilian white wine such as Grillo from the Contea di Sclafani, whose fresh, floral notes perfectly balance the sweetness of the tomatoes and the softness of the aubergines. Alternatively, a light Catarratto or a Ligurian Vermentino would also pair beautifully, bringing elegance to this summery vegetable dish.
Making aubergine gnocchi with cherry tomato sauce is like inviting a slice of Sicily to your table — simple, wholesome, and full of soul. I warmly encourage you to give this recipe a go at home; it’s a wonderful way to celebrate summer’s bounty. Share it with your loved ones and watch how this comforting dish brings everyone together, creating moments to savour and remember.
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