Look Aunt Franny, I did it!

gnocchi

Definition: [NYOH-kee; NOH-kee] Italian for "dumplings," gnocchi can be made from potatoes, flour or farina. Eggs or cheese can be added to the dough, and finely chopped spinach is also a popular addition. Gnocchi are generally shaped into little balls, cooked in boiling water and served with butter and Parmesan or a savory sauce. The dough can also be chilled, sliced and either baked or fried. Gnocchi are usually served as a side dish and make excellent accompaniments for meat or poultry.

OK, so my sister and niece came to visit last week from Seattle. My sister has not seen our Sicilian grandmother since 1963, meaning she was only three when she saw her last. We decide to do a kamakazi trip up to New York to see our 95 year old Grandma. It was the BEST ROAD TRIP EVER!!! We drove 12 hours, got there too late to see Grandma, so we bunked up at a great hotel for the night. The next morning we call Grandma up, and start our usual chat. I hand the phone to my sister,pull up in Grandma's driveway, and ring her doorbell. She tells my sister, "Hold on honey, there's someone at my door." You should have seen her face! My grandmother never thought she'd have the opportunity to see my sister again. (that's a long story, too boring to tell) So we got to spend the day with her, and her daughter, my Aunt Franny, taught me how to roll a true gnocchi. Aunt Fran uses the roll it on the fork method. Grandma uses the thumb only method. It makes a more smooth, shell like gnocchi. Anyway, I will never forget standing next to my Auntie and learning to make a respectable gnocchi.
So anyone want to come to dinner, I am a gnocchi rollin-eestahhh!
And yes, that is my first one, captured for posterity.
We also brought back a 5 pound bucket of Grandma's meatballs that I wished would last forever...
P.S. Grandma also wears dangling earrings, blue jeans and uses Oil of Olay Night Firming Cream!