Italian Vegetable Dishes Recipes - Spinach Gnocchi (Gnocchi con Spinaci) Recipe

• 450 g/1lb spinach

• 5 ml/1 tsp salt

• 50 g/2 oz/1/4 cup unsalted (sweet) butter

• 1 onion, very finely chopped

• 225 g/8 oz/1 cup Ricotta cheese

• 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 2 eggs

• 60 ml/4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

• 100 g/4 oz/1 cup plain (all-purpose) flour

• 50 g/2 oz/1/4 cup butter, melted

Method:

1. Wash the spinach, shake off excess water and place in a large saucepan with 2.5 ml/1/2 tsp salt.

2. Cover with a lid. Cook gently for 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and drain. Transfer the spinach to a chopping board and chop finely.

3. Melt the butter in a large saucepan and cook the onion, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

4. Add the chopped spinach, Ricotta, the remaining salt and the pepper. Reduce the heat to very low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring.

5. Remove from the heat and beat in the eggs, half the Parmesan and the flour. Cool, then chill for 2 hours.

6. Turn the mixture on to a floured board and roll small teaspoonfuls into balls.

7. Pour 15 ml/1 tbsp melted butter into a shallow dish and sprinkle with 15 ml/1 tbsp of the remaining Parmesan cheese.

8. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and simmer the gnocchi a few at a time until they rise to the surface. Drain and place in the prepared dish.

9. Pour the remaining melted butter and cheese over the gnocchi and grill (broil) for 5 minutes until brown.