Gnocco fritto! Fried gnocchi!

Gnocco fritto or fried gnocchi is known as the fast food of Modena and can be consumed at any time of the day – enjoy them plain for breakfast, as a snack with jam or Nutella or at lunch accompanied with salami and soft cheese. You can fill them with savoury or sweet ingredients so there’s lots of choice! But today, we’re serving ours with a charcuterie.

This recipe will make enough for 4 people.

What you need: 
For the dough: 

• 250g 00 flour 
• 80ml sparkling water
• 20g lard chopped in small cubes (this is preferrable, but if you don't have it then use olive oil)
• Pinch of salt
• 40ml milk

To fry the gnocchi: ​

• 1.5 litres of vegetable oil (for frying)

For the antipasti: 

• Different cured meat such as mortadella, prosciutto, salami
• Balsamic vinegar of Modena
• Soft cheese such as ricotta 
• A glass of red wine

​​The cooking process:

1. In a bowl, add all flour, salt and lard and mix together well.
2. Add the milk and sparkling water to the mix. Mix well to combine.
3. Transfer the dough to the table and knead for 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and soft and there are no lumps remaining from the lard.
4. Cover it and let the dough rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
5. Remove from the fridge and roll the dough until it is 2mm in thickness using either a rolling pin or your pasta machine (on setting n.2). Add more flour if your dough becomes too sticky.
6. Cut the dough into however you like it, be it rectangles or triangles, just make sure the pieces are equal and at least 8cm in size.
7. Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan until it reaches 180°C.
8. Using tongs, add your gnocchi, 3 at a time to the hot oil.
9. Gently fry your gnocchi, ensuring each side is nice and golden.
10. Remove from the oil using tongs, and place on greaseproof paper or kitchen paper to remove excess oil.
11. Serve them as an antipasti with your choice of cured meats and cheeses or to accompany your main meal as an alternative to bread. Enjoy!