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by Madison Smith
Gnocchi is in my genes. Each year, Christmas Eve officially begins when my entire family loudly fills the kitchen preparing this simple meal. The soft, fat, chewy dumplings made from potatoes encapsulates my childhood. With Christmas music in the background, we flour the kitchen counter, dig our hands into the buttery dough and make gnocchi together and catch up on the time spent apart. My grandpa, an Italian immigrant, talks us through the family recipe his grandma made with him as a kid. Three to four hours later, the gnocchi is boiled, served, topped with homemade meat sauce and parmesan and we feast, going to bed that night with our stomachs full of food, love, and enjoyment of the time spent together. Gnocchi always brings us closer, giving us an appreciation for our heritage.
Me and my grandparents making gnocchi together on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2017, by Jim Smith.
Only necessary ingredients to make gnocchi: flour, egg, and potato, November 10, 2023. Photo by Madison Smith.
Italian cuisine is one of the oldest and most well-known in Europe. Gnocchi, pronounced (n(y)oh-kee), literally means “lumps” in Italian (Mitchell). While the name may sound unappetizing, the pasta itself is delicious. Before the 16th century, Gnocchi was made with squash and breadcrumbs. The cold climate in Northern Italy allowed for high-quality production of potatoes and poor production of grain, so gnocchi grew in cultural popularity (Mitchell). The meals are simple. Common ingredients include potatoes, cheese, flour, egg, and a rich sauce of choice.
Italian people always say, “In Italy, it's all about the food” (“How Food Plays”). Italians believe that meals are meant to be prepared and enjoyed together. Their culture stands on meals that take up to several hours, also known as “Italian Slow Meals” (Ronga). The long time allows them to one another and enjoy the food together. Dishes are simplistic so every flavor shines through. Italians pride themselves on the freshness of the ingredients, and the love they put into each meal (Ronga). Italian culture lies in enjoying local traditional food with your family. All dishes are made with love, perfection, and long lasting tradition. (“How Food Plays”).
Growing up, I heard stories about my grandparents and great-grandparents' classic Italian meals. They were slow, long, traditional, and elegant. My great-grandma would make my mom an authentic five-course Italian meal: antipasti, bread, two main courses, and dessert. Our family's gnocchi recipe would be served during the first main course. Once my great grandmother passed, the recipe was given to my grandfather, and the family tradition continued. The soft, chewy, round, dumplings made from potatoes became a staple in our home over the Christmas season. The smell of potatoes boiling, sauce brewing, and pasta baking would fill our kitchen every year. The sounds of family members talking, and Christmas music playing would signify the start of the holidays. Much like the foundation of Italian culture, as a family, we don’t need elaborate meals to enjoy time spent together.
My dad, twin brothers, sister, and I at Buca di Beppo in Germantown, MD, October 28, 2023, by Kim Smith.
Despite being an Italian citizen myself, I felt little connection with that side of the family. But, this simple meal brings my family together in beautiful ways. My grandpa always likes to share his stories from his childhood in Italy, and we learn so much more about Italian culture and his upbringing. It connected me to that part of my identity, my family, and my ancestors in Italy. Making this meal together allows us to live italian tradition through enjoying the food while being in the presence of your loved ones. My family is usually hectic, so being in one area and working on this delicious dish together gives us time to bond, talk with each other, and slow down.
Gnocchi is a simple dish but not simple in meaning for my family. It gives me a sense of Italian identity and connects me to my family each year. Gnocchi is served in almost any Italian restaurant around the world. Italian cuisine’s impact directly shows through the global love for pizza and pasta. Regardless of where I am, taking a bite of this delicious simple, soft, chewy, potato-y dish takes me back to my family's history and the holidays. I hope one day with a family of my own, I can capture the same feeling for my children over the traditional family gnocchi dish.
Works Cited
Benwick, Bonnie S. "Gnocchi: The Secrets to Making It, from the Pros." The Washington Post, 16 July 2013, www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/gnocchi-the-secrets-to-making-it-from-the-pros/2013/07/15/6ae73a46-e284-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html.
"How Food Plays a Big Part in an Italian Lifestyle." Flavorus Holidays, 3 Mar. 2022, www.flavoursholidays.co.uk/blog/food-in-italian-lifestyle/.
Mitchell, Jennifer. "Everything You Need to Know about Gnocchi." Pasta Evangelists, 3 Oct. 2022, pastaevangelists.com/blogs/blog/what-is-gnocchi.
Nevin, Ayse. "Italian Cuisine: Characteristics and Effects." Journal of Business Management and Economic Research, vol. 1, no. 1, 2017, pp. 49-57. doi: 10.29226/jobmer.2017.4.
Ronga, Sophia. "The Culture behind the Italian Slow Meal." Berkley Center, Georgetown University, Oct. 2016, berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/posts/the-culture-behind-the-italian-slow-meal.
Smith, Jim. Grandparents and I are making gnocchi. 24 Dec. 2017. Author's personal collection.
Smith, Kim. Family photo at local Italian restaurant. 28 Oct. 2023. Author’s personal collection.
Smith, Madison. Ingredients needed to make gnocchi. 10 Nov. 2023. Author’s personal collection.
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