Then they came with cheese and potatoes. But it didn't become the potato dumplings we know today until the 16th century when potatoes were introduced to Europe. The potato gnocchi actually originated in Northern Italy, where the cooler climate was better suited for growing potatoes rather than grain.

How is gnocchi eaten in Italy?

The most common way to serve them in Italy is dressed simply in a light butter sauce with fresh sage. Try gnocchi with a light base like butter or extra virgin olive oil and toss them with small savory ingredients—like toasted pine nuts, mushrooms of a touch of cream.

What year did gnocchi originate?

The most famous potato gnocchi that are known and loved world-wide date back to the sixteenth or, more likely, seventeenth century—well after Spanish explorers brought potatoes from South America and introduced them to Italian kitchens.