Pumpkin Gnocchi with Brown Butter

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Place pumpkin, cut-sides down, on a cookie sheet.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until fork tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Turn oven off.

Step 4

Scoop out pumpkin flesh while still warm and place in a medium bowl. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth, then transfer to a colander and let drain for at least 1 hour.

Step 5

Measure 2 cups drained pumpkin and place in a large bowl, reserving any extra for another use. Add 1 teaspoon sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper to the 2 cups pumpkin. Taste mixture and adjust seasonings. Mix in 1/4 cup of flour with a fork. Continue adding flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough balls up in the bowl, but still remains tacky to the touch.

Step 6

Lightly flour a work surface and your hands. Gently knead the dough with your hands for about 1 minute, adding small amounts of flour until dough is just barely tacky. Allow dough to rest for 30 minutes.

Step 7

Meanwhile, fill a 5-quart pot with water. Add remaining 3 teaspoons salt and bring to a boil.

Step 8

Divide dough into 4 balls. Roll the first ball out into a 1/2-inch thick log, then cut into 1/2-inch long pieces. Roll each 1/2-inch piece quickly with your hand to make a smooth, oblong shape, then roll over the tines of a fork, if you'd like. Place the finished gnocchi on parchment paper, making sure they do not touch, as you roll the remaining 3 balls of dough.

Step 9

Drop 1/2 of the gnocchi into the boiling water. Cook until they begin to float and are tender yet firm to the bite, 5 to 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove to a plate, and repeat with remaining gnocchi.

Step 10

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat until frothy, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir a few times until the bubbles disappear and cook until butter is rich smelling with a slight brown hue, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, quickly toss in the gnocchi, and serve.