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Chickpea, Spinach & Squash Gnocchi

September/October 2010

Your rating: None Average: 4 (111 votes)

Currants add a surprising touch of sweetness to this simple sauté of chickpeas, spinach, squash and gnocchi. We prefer the texture of shelf-stable gnocchi, but if sodium is an issue for you, opt for frozen instead. Serve with a glass of chardonnay.



READER'S COMMENT:
"Dozens of good reviews and one of the few negative ones gets posted under the recipe. That is quite misleading. I very much like these ingredients together. It is a good comfort food. "
Chickpea, Spinach & Squash Gnocchi Recipe

Makes: 4 servings, 1 1/2 cups each

Active Time:

Total Time:

Ingredients

  • 1 pound frozen or shelf-stable gnocchi
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups thinly sliced peeled butternut squash or unpeeled delicata squash (1- to 2-inch-long slices)
  • 1/2 cup sliced shallots (1-2 medium)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons currants
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried rubbed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 8 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar reduction or 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (see Note)

Preparation

  1. If using frozen gnocchi, cook in a large pot of boiling water according to package directions. Drain, rinse and pat dry. (If using shelf-stable gnocchi, skip this step.)
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
  3. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil, squash, shallots and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in broth, currants, sage and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring, until the squash is almost cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Add spinach, chickpeas and the gnocchi and cook, gently stirring, until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes more. Serve drizzled with balsamic reduction (or balsamic vinegar).

Tips & Notes

  • Note: Balsamic vinegar reduction, simply balsamic vinegar that is cooked down until thick and syrupy, is sometimes called balsamic glaze or balsamic drizzle. Look for it with other vinegars in well-stocked supermarkets. Or make it yourself: Bring 1 cup balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until syrupy and reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 14 minutes. (Watch the syrup carefully in the last few minutes of reducing to prevent burning.)

Nutrition

Per serving: 458 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 4 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 88 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 15 g protein; 10 g fiber; 620 mg sodium; 597 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (225% daily value), Vitamin C (53% dv), Folate (33% dv), Iron (28% dv), Magnesium (19% dv), Potassium (17% dv), Calcium (16% dv).

Carbohydrate Servings: 5

Exchanges: 5 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat


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Recipe Categories

Ease of Preparation
Easy
Total Time
45 minutes or less
Ethnic/Regional
Italian
Servings
4
Preparation/ Technique
Saute
Meal/Course
Dinner

Season
Fall
Winter
Holiday
Halloween
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