Pumpkin Gnocchi with Spicy Shrimp Ragù

The spicy shrimp ragù pumpkin gnocchi are a flavorful dish that blends the sweetness of pumpkin with the bold taste of the shrimp, all enriched by a spicy note. Here is the recipe with an Italian twist on this dish that combines tradition and innovation.

Ingredients

• 600 g pumpkin
• 200 g 00 flour, plus more for working
• 1 egg (optional, but helps bind the dough)
• Salt and nutmeg to taste

For the spicy shrimp ragù:

• 400 g fresh or frozen shrimp
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 fresh or dried red chili pepper (depending on the desired level of spiciness)
• 200 ml tomato passata
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the pumpkin. Cut it into pieces, removing the seeds, and steam or roast it until soft.
2. Mash the cooked pumpkin with a fork or pass it through a potato ricer until you obtain a purée.
3. Add the sifted flour, a pinch of salt, and nutmeg. If you decide to use the egg, add it at this point. Knead until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
4. Dust a work surface with flour, take a portion of the dough and roll it to form cylinders about 2 cm in diameter. Cut the cylinders into pieces about 2 cm long to create the gnocchi.
5. Create the typical ridges on the gnocchi by rolling them over a fork or a gnocchi board.
6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi. They are ready when they float to the surface, usually after a couple of minutes.

For the shrimp ragù: 7. Clean the shrimp by removing the shell and the vein. If they are large, you can cut them into pieces or leave them whole. 8. In a pan, sauté the chopped garlic and chili in hot oil. 9. Add the shrimp and sear for a few minutes. 10. Pour in the tomato passata, adjust the salt and simmer over low heat until the sauce has thickened slightly. 11. Remove the garlic and add the seared shrimp to the tomato sauce, letting the flavors meld for a few minutes.

12. When the gnocchi are ready, drain them with a slotted spoon and add them directly to the pan with the shrimp ragù. Toss everything in the pan for one minute.
13. Serve the pumpkin gnocchi with spicy shrimp ragù immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Curiosities

The spicy shrimp ragù is an unconventional sauce for gnocchi, which are often associated with more traditional toppings like meat ragù or butter and sage. This version with shrimp and chili offers a meeting of land and sea that is characteristic of some Italian coastal areas, where seafood is commonly featured in original and flavorful dishes.