Czech Fruit Gnocchi (knedliky)

Czech fruit gnocchi (knedlíky naplněné ovocem) are a delicious traditional dessert from the Czech Republic. I will present a classic version of the recipe, and if you wish, we can add an Italian touch at the end.

Ingredients

• 250 g flour
• 1 egg
• 1 pinch of salt
• 50-100 ml water or milk
• Fruit of choice (for example, plums or apricots)
• Sugar to taste
• Butter for garnish
• Breadcrumbs
• Powdered sugar for serving

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the salt. Make a well in the center and add the egg. Begin combining them by slowly adding the water or milk until a soft, workable dough forms. The dough should not be too sticky, so adjust with flour or liquid as needed.
2. On a floured surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1/2 cm.
3. Cut the dough into squares of about 8 cm x 8 cm.
4. Place a piece of fruit (for example, a whole plum or apricot, if small) in the center of each square and sprinkle with a little sugar to taste to sweeten the fruit.
5. Fold the dough around the fruit to form balls (or dumplings), ensuring they are well sealed to prevent the fruit from leaking during cooking.
6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, cook the gnocchi a few at a time for about 3-5 minutes or until they float to the surface.
7. Meanwhile, in a skillet, melt some butter and add the breadcrumbs, toasting until golden.
8. Once cooked, remove the gnocchi from the water with a slotted spoon and roll them in the toasted breadcrumbs until well coated.
9. Serve hot, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

To give it an Italian touch, you could add a bit of amaretto or another almond liqueur to the fruit filling, which pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the plum and adds a distinctive aroma.