Sardinian gnocchetti with swordfish and pistachios
- Easy
- 25 min
- Kcal 552
Gnocchetti sardi with country style sauce is such a comforting dish, really showing off the flavors of the Sardinian countryside. This Sardinian pasta dish—which is awesome—is all about the rustic blend of gnocchetti sardi (also known as malloreddus) and a hearty mix of smoky pancetta with tender white beans. Honestly, in Sardinia, this kind of food has been a staple for generations, especially when it gets chilly and everyone craves something warm and satisfying. Plus, the addition of local pecorino cheese gives it a salty kick, perfectly tying everything together. It's kinda similar to the famous malloreddus alla campidanese with sausage, but here, the beans and pancetta keep it simple yet really tasty.
When winter rolls around, seriously, there's nothing better than sharing a big bowl of this gnocchetti sardi recipe with friends or family. And look, in Sardinia, it's often served as a first course, but it's so filling that it can easily be the main meal. The sauce gets a creamy texture from the beans, and the pasta just soaks up every bit of flavor—making it perfect for a cold night. What sets this dish apart from other traditional Italian pasta is its commitment to old-school Sardinian methods, focusing on local ingredients like quality cheese and just-right smoked pancetta. Each bite is a little smoky and rich, with the beans adding a lovely, creamy texture that's hard to resist. Compared to a sausage ragu pasta, this one feels a bit lighter but still bursts with flavor. It's pretty much the kind of meal that gathers everyone around the table, sharing and enjoying a piece of Sardinian history right in your own home. If you are a fan of authentic Italian recipes that are easy to love, this dish is definitely one to share on a chilly evening—bringing a taste of Sardinia to your kitchen. Really.
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To prepare Sardinian gnocchetti in country style, start by putting a pot with salted water on the stove. Meanwhile, clean and finely chop the onion 1. Drizzle a large pan with a little oil, sauté a whole clove of garlic over low heat 2, then remove it once golden and add the chopped onion to the pan 3. Stir occasionally to prevent it from burning.
While the onion is frying, chop the sage and rosemary (leave a few needles whole to decorate the final dish if you prefer) 4, sauté them with the onion 5. Slice the bacon and cut it into strips 6,
add it to the sauté 7; then season with ground pepper. Next, add the white beans along with their preserving water 8 and finally pour in the tomato puree 9.
Mix the ingredients well and continue cooking for 12 minutes, over high heat 10. In the meantime, when the water has reached a boil, cook the gnocchetti for the time indicated on the package 11. Once cooked (preferably al dente), drain them with a slotted spoon 12,
and add them directly to the pan with the sauce 13. Toss the pasta, mixing well to incorporate all the ingredients 14. Sardinian gnocchetti in country style are ready: serve them hot, with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary as a final touch 15.