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Spinach and Ricotta G’nudi

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Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large russet potato (about 15 oz)
  • About 3 cups/3 oz/half a box of baby spinach or about 2-3 ounces frozen spinach/ ¼ cup frozen spinach * see note at the bottom
  • 1 Tbs. butter (only if using fresh spinach)
  • ¼ cup full fat ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • About ¾ cup (3½ -4 oz) flour
  • Pomodoro or Arrabbiata Sauce, for serving 
  • Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Place the whole unpeeled potato in a pot and cover with cold water by a couple of inches.  Bring to a rolling boil, lower the heat to a gentle boil and cook until the potato is easily pierced with a skewer, it will take 40-50 minutes.
  • For Fresh Spinach:  Heat the butter in a small fry pan, add the spinach and sauté until wilted, about 2-3 minutes, let it cool and transfer the spinach to a bed of paper towels.  Roll the paper towel up around the spinach to absorb the excess moisture, chop finely and place in a mixing bowl.  If Using Frozen Spinach:  Defrost the spinach (in the microwave) and place on a paper towel to squeeze excess water out.  Chop finely and place in a mixing bowl. 
  • Add the ricotta, egg, and salt to the mixing bowl with the spinach, mix with a fork until well combined. 
  • When the potato is cool enough to handle, I use gloves because it is better to do this when the potato is still warm, peel it and “rice” the potato or mash it.  I do this onto a piece of parchment, so that I can spread the potato out so that it cools.
  • Add the potato to the spinach mixture, gently mix together, add the flour (no more than ¾ cup), mix gently, try to mix well without over mixing. Use a for to mix and mash.
  • Dust a rimmed baking sheet generously with flour. Using 2 large soup spoons, shape heaping tablespoonfuls of dough into oval shapes; place on baking sheet and dust with more flour (you should have 30).
  • To Cook:  Bring a large pot of water to boil, add salt (about 1 Tbs.) add g'nudi (about 10 at a time).  Stir occasionally.  Cook for about 5-6 minutes, they will float to the top, drain using a slotted spoon and transfer to bowls.
  • Spoon Pomodoro or Arrabbiata Sauce, spooned over the g’nudi and serve with grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Tip: Consider this a project, make all the g’nudi and freeze what you don’t use (freeze on a parchment lined sheet, once frozen, toss into a baggie and cook from frozen). I usually double this recipe and stock my freezer.
If Using Frozen Spinach
Weighed it or measure it once defrosted and excess water squeezed out.  * or(measured once defrosted and excess water squeezed out)