Kreeli's Butternut Squash Gnocchi (Italian) - Vegan
Italy
Known as an Italian recipe, with similar versions prepared across other nations.
Ingredients 16 ingredients
- Salt
- Tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup soft tofu
- Yams
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached flour -- (1 1/2 to 2)
- Sweet potatoes
- 3 fresh garlic cloves -- minced
- Potatoes
- OR 1 bulb roasted garlic -- peeled and mashed
- 1 pound butternut squash -- peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes*
- Basil
- 2 quarts water
- Pumpkin
- OR 2 tablespoons soy milk -- tofu is preferable
- or medium tofu -- whipped until smooth and fluffy
Possible health benefits
General information, not medical advice.
-
Tomato
High in protein · 1.2 g per 100 g, 21% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Source of vitamin C · 23 mg per 100 g, 29% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
11 more authorised claims
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
- Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Tomatoes, green, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.
-
Yam
High in potassium · 816 mg per 100 g, 41% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
- Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet
Source of vitamin C · 17 mg per 100 g, 21% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
11 more authorised claims
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
- Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
Source of vitamin B6 · 0.3 mg per 100 g, 21% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal cysteine synthesis.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
7 more authorised claims
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal protein and glycogen metabolism.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. The body needs vitamin B6 for more than 100 enzyme reactions involved in metabolism. NIH fact sheet
Source of copper · 0.2 mg per 100 g, 18% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.
- Copper contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
5 more authorised claims
- Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation.
- Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body.
- Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.
- Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Copper is a mineral that you need to stay healthy. Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including making energy, connective tissues, and blood vessels. NIH fact sheet
Source of manganese · 0.4 mg per 100 g, 20% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.
1 more authorised claims
- Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Manganese is a mineral that your body needs to stay healthy. Your body uses manganese to make energy and protect your cells from damage. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Yam, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.
-
Basil
High in vitamin A · 264 µg per 100 g, 33% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin A contributes to normal iron metabolism.
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
3 more authorised claims
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
- Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin A has a role in the process of cell specialisation.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. NIH fact sheet
High in vitamin K · 415 µg per 100 g, 553% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting.
- Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Vitamin K is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. It’s important for blood clotting and healthy bones and also has other functions in the body. NIH fact sheet
High in folate · 68 µg per 100 g, 34% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Folate contributes to maternal tissue growth during pregnancy.
- Folate contributes to normal amino acid synthesis.
- Folate contributes to normal blood formation.
5 more authorised claims
- Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.
- Folate contributes to normal psychological function.
- Folate contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Folate contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Folate has a role in the process of cell division.
Folate is a B-vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Your body needs folate to make DNA and other genetic material. NIH fact sheet
High in copper · 0.4 mg per 100 g, 39% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Copper contributes to maintenance of normal connective tissues.
- Copper contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Copper contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
5 more authorised claims
- Copper contributes to normal hair pigmentation.
- Copper contributes to normal iron transport in the body.
- Copper contributes to normal skin pigmentation.
- Copper contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Copper contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Copper is a mineral that you need to stay healthy. Your body uses copper to carry out many important functions, including making energy, connective tissues, and blood vessels. NIH fact sheet
High in manganese · 1.1 mg per 100 g, 57% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Manganese contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Manganese contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Manganese contributes to the normal formation of connective tissue.
1 more authorised claims
- Manganese contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Manganese is a mineral that your body needs to stay healthy. Your body uses manganese to make energy and protect your cells from damage. NIH fact sheet
High in protein · 3.1 g per 100 g, 55% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Source of vitamin C · 18 mg per 100 g, 23% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of bones.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage.
11 more authorised claims
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of gums.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of teeth.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Vitamin C contributes to normal psychological function.
- Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin C contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
- Vitamin C contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Vitamin C contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E.
- Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. NIH fact sheet
Source of calcium · 177 mg per 100 g, 22% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Calcium contributes to normal blood clotting.
- Calcium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Calcium contributes to normal muscle function.
5 more authorised claims
- Calcium contributes to normal neurotransmission.
- Calcium contributes to the normal function of digestive enzymes.
- Calcium has a role in the process of cell division and specialisation.
- Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones.
- Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal teeth.
Calcium is a mineral your body needs to build and maintain strong bones and to carry out many important functions. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body. NIH fact sheet
Source of magnesium · 64 mg per 100 g, 17% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Magnesium contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Magnesium contributes to electrolyte balance.
- Magnesium contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
7 more authorised claims
- Magnesium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function.
- Magnesium contributes to normal protein synthesis.
- Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function.
- Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
- Magnesium contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth.
- Magnesium has a role in the process of cell division.
Magnesium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA. NIH fact sheet
Source of iron · 3.2 mg per 100 g, 23% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Iron contributes to normal cognitive function.
- Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
- Iron contributes to normal formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin.
4 more authorised claims
- Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body.
- Iron contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Iron contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
- Iron has a role in the process of cell division.
Iron is a mineral that the body needs for growth and development. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that provides oxygen to muscles. NIH fact sheet
Nutrients per 100 g of “Basil, fresh”, USDA FoodData Central.
-
Pumpkin
High in vitamin A · 426 µg per 100 g, 53% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Vitamin A contributes to normal iron metabolism.
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membranes.
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.
3 more authorised claims
- Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
- Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Vitamin A has a role in the process of cell specialisation.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. NIH fact sheet
Source of potassium · 340 mg per 100 g, 17% of the reference intake per 100 g
- Potassium contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system.
- Potassium contributes to normal muscle function.
- Potassium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
Potassium is a mineral found in many foods. Your body needs potassium for almost everything it does, including proper kidney and heart function, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. NIH fact sheet
Source of protein · 1.0 g per 100 g, 15% of the energy from protein
- Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
Nutrients per 100 g of “Pumpkin, raw”, USDA FoodData Central.
Claims: EU Register of health claims (Regulation (EU) No 432/2012, © European Union, CC BY 4.0), shown only where the ingredient meets the claim's conditions (Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006). Nutrients: USDA FoodData Central (CC0). Facts: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (public domain).
Cook safely
Keep children and pets away from the hob and the oven, and keep oven gloves and a lid within reach.
- Boiling water and steam. Turn pan handles inward, away from the edge of the hob. Lift lids away from you, and pour hot water away from your body: steam burns too.
- Sharp knives. Cut on a board that doesn't slip (a damp cloth under it helps), and curl the fingers of the hand that holds the food.
Method
Chef Wood
-
Hello, I'm Chef Wood. Ask me anything about this recipe, whenever you like. Press play, or say “next”, and I'll read you the steps one at a time.
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- In a large soup pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Drop the butternut squash cubes in and cook for approximately 10 15 minutes or until tender (but not mushy). Drain thoroughly. Whip with a handheld electric mixer, adding the oil, garlic, salt and tofu. Beat until smooth and there are no lumps. Gradually stir in the flour, a little at a time, with a wooden spoon, until a smooth dough is formed and it won't stick to your hands when you handle it. (Do not add more than 2 cups of flour, however.)
- Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead very lightly, somewhere between 5 and 10 times. Take a hand-sized lump of dough and form it into a sausage shape. Cut this into 1-inch lengths and indent each gnocchi with a fork to make fancy little impressions.**
- Place each completed gnocchi on a floured board or flat surface and repeat these steps with the remaining dough.
- Bring a fresh 2 quarts of water to a boil. Drop the gnocchi in, one at a time, and reduce the heat so that it is a low boil. Cook for 4-5 minutes only, drain and serve with your favourite pasta sauce. I personally enjoy a very garlicky tomato-pesto sauce over this gnocchi.
- Also, try variations on this theme. Use different starchy tubers, like russet potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes or yams. Try adding different spices or savory additions, like finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, olives, basil, cumin -- whatever strikes your fancy -- to the dough before cooking.
- *Peeling butternut squash is difficult. Try this to make it easier. Bring a large pot (big enough for the squash to fit in whole, or else cut the squash in halves or quarters) of water to a boil and drop the entire squash in. Let this boil for 3-5 minutes, then drain the squash and quickly rinse it under cold water. The skin should slip off easily. Discard skins, cut the squash down the center, scoop out the seeds, and cube.
- **Eager to eat, not too concerned about the gnocchis appearance? Make Ugly Lump gnocchi by dropping heaping teaspoonfuls of the dough onto the lightly floured surface until all the dough is used up, and boil as usual.
- Contributed to the FareShare Gazette by Fatima; 21 January 2003. www.fareshare.net
Plating
Cookware for this recipe
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Large pot
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Whisk
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Electric mixer
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Chef's knife
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Cutting board
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Vegetable peeler
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Wooden spoon
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Colander