ARE GNOCCHI PALEO?

Many of us know gnocchi as the little pillows of potato pasta, often covered in cream sauce at fancy Italian restaurants. We all know wheat-based pasta isn’t Paleo, but if gnocchi are made of potatoes, does that mean they can be made from sweet potatoes and therefore made Paleo? We’ll take a look.

What Are Gnocchi?

Gnocchi are small dumplings made of potato and flour, and served much like pasta, with various sauces. There are loads of different methods, some including ricotta or spinach, with others sticking to potatoes and flour and relying on a flavorful sauce. The dough is rolled into a long tube, and then cut into small bite-sized dumplings. They’re generally boiled, then cooked for another 1-2 minutes in the sauce. You can also pan-fry gnocchi for a crisp exterior.

Are Gnocchi Paleo?

Well, unfortunately, no. Since gnocchi are normally made with refined white flour and white potatoes, they are not Paleo. Don’t despair! When there’s a will, there’s a way, and many ambitious Paleo bloggers have whipped up their own Paleo-friendly versions of these delicious little pasta pillows. You can surely bet that cavemen weren’t whipping up gnocchi, but a little deviation from tradition never hurt anybody. Just keep this as a special dinner treat rather than a dish in your weekly rotation.