Sink Your Teeth Into Spine-Chilling Skull Gnocchi This Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner, and what better way to get in the spooky spirit than with some creepy purple skull gnocchi!

Gnocchi is a simple Italian dumpling usually made from potatoes, but these spooky versions are shaped like skulls and tinted purple for a ghoulish effect. Though they may look frightful, they are delightfully soft and tender on the inside.

This vegan gnocchi recipe is easy to make and a fun family project. Read on for step-by-step instructions for making your own spooky skull gnocchi this Halloween!

Ingredients

3 lbs russet potatoes
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp boiling water, if needed
Purple food coloring

Equipment

Baking sheet
Fork
Potato ricer or food mill (optional)
Clean work surface for rolling and shaping
Flour for dusting
Large pot for boiling
Slotted spoon for retrieving gnocchi

Step 1: Bake the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Wash and dry the potatoes well. Place them directly on the oven rack and bake for 45-60 minutes until they are very soft when squeezed. The skins should be crispy.

Allow the potatoes to cool slightly before handling. Using a fork, poke holes all over the potatoes to allow steam to escape. This will make them easier to peel.

Step 2: Peel and Rice the Potatoes

Once cool enough to handle, peel the skins off the potatoes. It’s fine if some bits of skin remain.

Cut the peeled potatoes into smaller chunks, then rice them through a potato ricer or food mill into a large bowl. The riced potatoes should look fluffy, with no large lumps.

Alternatively, you can mash them by hand with a masher or fork until smooth and free of lumps. The potatoes must be thoroughly broken down so the gnocchi will be light and pillowy, so take your time with this step.

Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients and Knead

Add the flour, salt, nutmeg, olive oil, and a few drops of purple food coloring to the riced potatoes.

Mix everything together with your hands, kneading gently, until a smooth, slightly sticky dough forms.

If the dough is too dry, sprinkle 1-2 tbsp of boiling water over it and knead again. It should be soft and just slightly tacky to the touch.

Step 4: Roll and Shape the Dough

Lightly flour your work surface. Cut off a piece of the dough and gently roll it into a rope about 1/2 inch thick.

Cut the rope into 1-inch sections. Take each section and gently roll between your hands to form a ball.

Use your fingers to indent the center of each ball, shaping it into a skull. Add small indentations for eyes and a nose.

Place the shaped gnocchi on a lightly floured baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough until all gnocchi are formed.

Step 5: Boil the Gnocchi

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the gnocchi into the water, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.

Cook in batches if needed. Allow to simmer gently until the gnocchi float to the top, about 2-3 minutes.

Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a serving dish. Repeat until all gnocchi are cooked.

Step 6: Sauce and Serve

These tender little skull gnocchi are great served simply with your favorite pasta sauce. The purple color will make any sauce look spooktacular!

For extra flavor, try browning some vegan Italian sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or caramelized onions to mix in.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Scatter some edible glitter over the finished dish for an added festive touch.

Now take your creepy purple skull gnocchi to your Halloween party or frightening family feast! This unique twist on classic gnocchi is sure to impress guests and delight even the pickiest eaters.

The preparation is easy enough that kids will have fun helping out. With its ghoulish appearance but comforting taste, this gnocchi is just the thing for a frightfully fun Halloween meal.

Tips for Perfect Gnocchi

Looking to achieve pillow-soft, restaurant-quality gnocchi at home? Here are some helpful tips and tricks for gnocchi success:

Use Starchy Potatoes

Choose a floury, starchy potato like Russets. The high starch content will give your gnocchi a light, pillowy texture. Avoid waxy potatoes like red or yellow which can result in dense, gummy gnocchi.

Rice Thoroughly

Be sure to rice or mash your potatoes well with no lumps. Completely breaking down the potato fibers creates a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Handle Gently

When shaping and rolling the dough, use a light touch. Overworking the dough will result in tough gnocchi.

Use Extra Flour

Have plenty of flour for dusting your work surface, hands, and the shaped gnocchi. The extra flour prevents sticking for easy shaping.

Don’t Overcrowd

Cook gnocchi in small batches so they have room to float freely. Overcrowding will cause them to stick together.

Shock in Ice Water

After cooking, transfer gnocchi immediately to ice water to stop the cooking process. This keeps them from getting mushy.

Toss with Sauce

Coat gnocchi in your favorite sauce right away. The sauce seeps into the porous dumplings, flavoring them and preventing sticking.

Store Properly

Place cooked gnocchi in a single layer, not touching, on a sheet pan. Cover loosely and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be a gnocchi pro in no time! Let your creativity run wild with different shapes and flavors. The possibilities for amazing homemade gnocchi are endless.

Gnocchi Variations

While traditional gnocchi is made from potatoes, the humble dumpling can be adapted endlessly to suit your taste. Here are some fun flavor variations to try:

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

For a seasonal fall twist, use roasted orange sweet potatoes in place of russets. Sweet potato gnocchi has a gorgeous amber color and hint of sweetness.

Pesto Gnocchi

Add a big punch of flavor by mixing pesto sauce right into the dough before shaping. This vibrant green gnocchi is bursting with herby flavor.

Roasted Garlic Gnocchi

Roast a head of garlic, then blend the softened cloves into a purée. Fold into the dough for gnocchi with mellow garlic notes.

Lemon Pepper Gnocchi

Brighten up your gnocchi with some zesty citrus. Add the zest of 1 lemon plus 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning to the dough.

Get creative with seasonal ingredients or use what you have on hand. Homemade gnocchi offers endless possibilities for customized, crave-worthy dumplings. Now get rolling!