Definition

Noun 1. A type of Italian pasta or dumpling, typically small and soft, made from a dough of potato, flour, or semolina. It is cooked by boiling or baking and is traditionally served with a sauce (such as tomato, pesto, or a butter-based sauce) or with grated cheese.

Usage

• As a mass noun: "Gnocchi" is typically used as an uncountable noun referring to the food in general.
  • For dinner, we made homemade gnocchi with a sage butter sauce.
  • This restaurant serves excellent potato gnocchi.
• Referring to individual pieces: While less common, it can be used in a plural sense to refer to individual dumplings.
  • The gnocchi were light and fluffy.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Types of Gnocchi: The base ingredient defines the type.
  • Potato gnocchi is the most common variety outside Italy.
  • Semolina gnocchi (often called "Gnocchi alla Romana") is made from semolina flour, baked, and cut into rounds.
  • Ricotta gnocchi uses ricotta cheese in the dough for a very tender result.
• Culinary Context: The word is almost exclusively used in culinary contexts to describe the specific dish.

Variants and Related Words

• Gnocchetto (n): A smaller, sometimes different shaped version of gnocchi.
• Gnocchi alla Romana (n phrase): A specific baked dish made with semolina gnocchi.

Synonyms

• Dumpling: A broader term for a small mass of dough cooked in liquid. Gnocchi is a specific Italian type of dumpling.
• Pasta: A general term for Italian dough-based dishes. Gnocchi is considered a type of pasta, though its primary ingredient is often potato.

Idioms and Phrases

• (No common idioms directly use "gnocchi." It is primarily a culinary term.)

Noun

1. (Italian) a small dumpling made of potato or flour or semolina that is boiled or baked and is usually served with a sauce or with grated cheese