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–+ servings
Gnocchi alla Norma recipe.

Gnocchi alla Norma

Mari Avalos
This cozy dish brings together pillowy potato gnocchi, a fresh tomato and basil sauce, golden fried eggplant, and a savory touch of ricotta salata. A comforting spin on the beloved Sicilian classic.
4 servings
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Prep 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 30 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 ½ lb potato gnocchi
  • 2 ¼ cups tomato passata
  • 2 large eggplants (cut into 1 inch cubes)
  • basil leaves (as much as you'd like)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil (as needed)
  • ricotta salata (as needed)
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Heat a good glug of olive oil in a pan and fry the eggplant cubes until golden on all sides. Transfer to a paper-lined plate to drain and set aside.
  • In another large pan, heat a little olive oil and sauté the garlic until golden and fragrant.
  • Pour in the tomato passata, tear in a handful of basil leaves, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then turn off the heat and discard the garlic.
  • Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi according to the package, then drain.
  • Add the gnocchi and fried eggplant to the sauce. Turn the heat back on and toss everything together for a minute until well coated.
  • Serve hot with a generous grating of ricotta salata and a few basil leaves on top. Enjoy!

Tips & Notes

  • Roast the eggplant instead of frying for a lighter option.
  • If eggplant is not on season, you can salt them for 30 minutes before cooking to draw out moisture and remove the bitter flavor.
  • No ricotta salata? Use pecorino or parmigiano instead.
  • Fresh gnocchi cooks fast, so don’t overcrowd the pot!
  • Make it gluten-free with certified GF gnocchi and check your ingredients.
  • Like a kick? Add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 652kcalCarbohydrates: 87gProtein: 13gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 1215mgPotassium: 1161mgFiber: 13gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 837IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 9mg