Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Fried Sage and Shaved Chestnuts

A delightful homemade gnocchi combining russet and sweet potatoes, served with crispy fried sage leaves and shaved chestnuts in a brown butter sauce. This elegant dish features the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

6 servings
3 hr 47 min

Ingredients

  • pounds russet potatoes
  • ¾ pound sweet potato
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup sage leaves
  • cup bottled roasted chestnuts
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 piece potato ricer or food mill

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Pierce russet and sweet potatoes in several places with a fork, then bake in a 4-sided sheet pan until just tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    60 min

  3. 3.

    Cool potatoes slightly, then peel and force through ricer into sheet pan, spreading in an even layer. Cool potatoes completely.

    30 min

  4. 4.

    Lightly flour 2 or 3 large baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Beat together egg, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Gather potatoes into a mound in sheet pan, using a pastry scraper if you have one, and form a well in center.

    5 min

  7. 7.

    Pour egg mixture into well, then knead into potatoes. Knead in cheese and 1 1/2 cups flour, then knead, adding more flour as necessary, until mixture forms a smooth but slightly sticky dough. Dust top lightly with some of flour.

    15 min

  8. 8.

    Cut dough into 6 pieces. Form 1 piece of dough into a 1/2-inch-thick rope on a lightly floured surface. Cut rope into 1/2-inch pieces. Gently roll each piece into a ball and lightly dust with flour.

    20 min

  9. 9.

    Repeat with remaining 5 pieces of dough.

    25 min

  10. 10.

    Turn a fork over and hold at a 45-degree angle, with tips of tines touching work surface. Working with 1 at a time, roll gnocchi down fork tines, pressing with your thumb, to make ridges on 1 side. Transfer gnocchi as formed to baking sheets.

    30 min

  11. 11.

    Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Fry sage leaves in 3 batches, stirring, until they turn just a shade lighter and crisp (they will continue to crisp as they cool), about 30 seconds per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Season lightly with salt.

    5 min

  12. 12.

    Fry chestnuts in 3 batches, stirring, until golden and crisp, about 30 seconds per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Season lightly with salt. Reserve oil in skillet.

    5 min

  13. 13.

    Add butter to oil in skillet with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until golden-brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

    2 min

  14. 14.

    Add half of gnocchi to a pasta pot of well-salted boiling water and stir. Cook until they float to surface, about 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to skillet with butter sauce. Cook remaining gnocchi in same manner, transferring to skillet as cooked.

    10 min

  15. 15.

    Heat gnocchi in skillet over medium heat, stirring to coat.

    3 min

  16. 16.

    Serve sprinkled with fried sage and chestnuts and grated cheese.

    2 min

Recommended to use Recipe Notes to manage your recipes