Baking with Betty: Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons and Tomatoes

With Lent beginning on Wednesday several Catholic blogs I read are hosting meatless recipe swaps.  This is one of my favorites. Eric and I have only duplicated a few recipes since we've been married, but this is one of our go-to meals.  It's easy. It's fast. It's Oh So Good.  (Eric doesn't even like zucchini and he loves this dish?)

Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons, Tomatoes and Parsley Brown Butter

Serves 2-4

courtesy of Delish.com

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh or frozen gnocchi

2 tablespoons butter

2 medium shallots (chopped) (optional)

1 pound zucchini (about 3 small) (very thinly sliced lengthwise)

1 pound cherry tomatoes (halved)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

ground pepper to taste

+/-  1/2  cups FRESH!! grated Parmesan Cheese

+/-  1/2 cups fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil.  Cook gnocchi according to the package instructions.  Approx. 3-5 minutes. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook until the butter is beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. 
3. Add shallots and zucchini and cook, stirring often, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.  Add cherry tomatoes, salt, nutmeg and pepper and continue cooking, stirring often, until the tomatoes are just starting to break down, 1-2 minutes.
4. Stir in Parmesan and parsley.
5. Add gnocchi and toss to coat.  Serve immediately.

Notes:

• This recipe is based off a recipe from Delish.com
• Eric and I can devour this whole meal just the two of us.  However if we have a side item we can have enough leftover for a lunch or two.
• I like a LOT of fresh parmesan so I add almost a full cup.  
• I hate dealing with cutting fresh parsley so I usually use the dried flakes - follow the substitution ratio on the bottle of parsley to add the correct amount of dried flakes.
• I've never added the shallots.  Until recently I thought they were the same as a green onion.  So, I've added green onions to this before. Still delicious :)
• Gnocchi can be difficult to find at the regular grocery. Oddly enough Super Target is my go-to place to buy them.  They're also easy to find at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and other health food or gourmet grocers.  Of course, if you have an awesome Italian dad you can have him make you some fresh ;-)

Tastefully yours,