Gnocchi with Carrots and Potatoes (homemade) in Tomato Sauce

Name: Gnocchi with Carrots and Potatoes (homemade) in Tomato Sauce - Zenobia C.
Ingredients: Gnocchi:; 5 potatoes; 3 carrots; 1 egg; flour as needed; salt Sauce:; 300ml tomato sauce; 400ml water; 1 onion; olive oil; 5 cloves of garlic; 250 ham/pancetta; salt; pepper; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 bay leaf; black olives (optional)

Pasta/Pizza - Gnocchi with Carrots and Potatoes (homemade) in Tomato Sauce by Zenobia C. - Recipia

We start preparing delicious gnocchi, an Italian dish that combines the authentic taste of vegetables with a soft and fluffy texture. The first step is to carefully peel and wash the potatoes and carrots. These essential vegetables will form the base of our puree. After peeling, we cut them into suitable cubes and boil them in a pot of water, adding a little salt to enhance the flavors. We let them boil until they become soft, which will take about 20-25 minutes. Once boiled, we remove the vegetables from the water and let them cool slightly so that we can work with them without burning ourselves. When the potatoes and carrots are cool enough, we mash them with a fork or a potato masher, obtaining a fine and even puree. To this vegetable mixture, we add a fresh egg, a pinch of salt, and start gradually incorporating the flour. It is important to add the flour little by little, mixing constantly, until we obtain a non-sticky, soft, and easy-to-handle dough. Once the dough is ready, we sprinkle a little flour on a clean surface and transfer it there. We divide it into smaller portions and form balls of the desired size, which we place on a floured board to prevent sticking. Now that we have all the balls prepared, we bring water to a boil in a large pot. When the water starts boiling vigorously, we carefully add the gnocchi. They are ready when they rise to the surface, which will take a few minutes. While the gnocchi are boiling, we can prepare the sauce, which will perfectly complement our dish. In a deep skillet, we pour olive oil and wait for it to start sizzling. We add the finely chopped onion and the garlic cloves, which we peeled and chopped earlier. We stir constantly, allowing the ingredients to sauté until the onion becomes translucent. Next, we add the ham, letting it fry for a minute to release its savory aroma. After that, we pour in the tomato sauce, add water, salt, sugar, pepper, and a bay leaf. We mix everything well and let the sauce simmer over medium heat until it reduces and becomes thick enough. When the gnocchi are ready, we drain them and set them aside for a few moments. After the sauce has reached the desired consistency, we add the gnocchi directly to the skillet and gently stir to coat them evenly with the sauce. This step is essential to ensure a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Gnocchi are served warm, garnished with black olives on the side, which add a salty note and a pleasant contrast. Enjoy your meal!