In this post, I’m sharing the authentic and traditional Tuscan Gnudi recipe: spinach and ricotta naked ravioli.
Soft vegetarian meatballs that melt in your mouth and make you remember life is good!

ricotta and spinach gnudi
ricotta and spinach Gnudi or naked ravioli

HOW TO MAKE TUSCAN GNUDI: THE AUTHENTIC RECIPE

Besides cooking the spinach, mashing them, and mixing them with fresh ricotta, all you have to do to make Gnudi is form small balls. This is the most delicate step, as you want to shape but use as little flour as possible. This way, the Gnudi will stay creamy and moist, which is their peculiarity. And also why they are such a wonderful culinary experience.

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VENICE

The city of Opulence.

FLORENCE

The city of Renaissance.

MATERA

The city of Sassi.

ricotta and spinach gnudi filling
ricotta and spinach Gnudi recipe

HOW TO SEASON GNUDI

The best way to season your Gnudi is with a sage and butter sauce. But you can also make a simple homemade tomato sauce. Grated parmesan dusted all over yìthe plate is mandatory!

ricotta and spinach gnudi flour
ricotta and spinach Gnudi with butter and sage seasoning

Traditional Tuscan Gnudi

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Author Claudia Rinaldi | Gourmet Project

Ingredients

  • 10 oz spinach leaves 280 gr
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 10 oz ricotta cheese 280 gr - (cow milk)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg ground
  • 1 oz grated parmesan cheese 30 gr + more to garnish
  • 1 egg
  • 1 oz 00 flour (or all-purpose flour) 30 gr + 3-4 tablespoons to work the dough
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3-4 sage leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Clean and dry the spinach leaves. Peel and crush the garlic clove.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and brown the garlic. Remove the garlic and add the spinach leaves. Cover and cook, medium heat, until the spinach wilts (about 3-4 minutes).

  3. Place the spinach on a strain and remove as much liquid as possible (help yourself by pressing the leaves with a tablespoon).

  4. Mash spinach with a blender or hand blender (just a few seconds).

  5. Pour the ricotta cheese into a large bowl. Add spinach and mix well. Add salt, black pepper, nutmeg, parmesan cheese, egg (beaten), and flour. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes.

  6. Place 3-4 tablespoons of flour in a bowl. Use your hands to form a 2-3 inches ball of the spinach-ricotta mixture, place it in the flour bowl, and flour it completely. Place the ball on a piece of parchment paper. Repeat until you finish the mix.

  7. Place butter and sage leaves in a large pan and melt over lo

  8. Fill a medium-size pot with water, add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Carefully place Gnudi, one at the time, in the boiling water. As soon as the balls come to the surface, take them from the water using a skimmer and place them in the pan with the melted butter. Season gnudi carefully by moving the pan in delicate circular movements.

  9. Sprinkle gnudi with grated parmesan and serve them hot.

Recipe Notes

You may cook the gnudi up to 12 hours before serving time and then heat them in the pan with the melted butter, high heat, for a couple of minutes.

Enjoy your Tuscan Gnudi!

Claudia