Cook the potatoes: Add the potatoes to a pot and fill it with water to cover the potatoes by about 2 inches. Boil them until they’re fork-tender. Drain the water, let them cool down a bit, then mash them with a masher, fork, or potato ricer.
Pro tip: Make sure to keep you gnocchi dusted generously with flour as you work with it. The gnocchi can become very sticky, even on the parchment paper, and wreck your ridges and/or gnocchi shape.
If your gnocchi does end up sticking, don’t worry! You can re-shape them and just dust with more flour.The tradition of serving gnocchi on the 29th of each month comes from a legend dating back to the 8th century. As a mom and keeper of the bonds of our ancestors I love to include everyone and pass this beautiful tradition and create new bonds to last through generations! The story dates to back when in Nicosia (Greater Asia) a young doctor named Pantaleon, who went on a pilgrimage through northern Italy after converting to Christianity. There, he performed miraculous healings for which he was canonized. Once, when he asked peasants for bread, they invited him to share their humble table. Grateful, Pantaleon declared they would have a year of excellent harvest and lots of fishing. The prophecy was fulfilled and many other miracles. Saint Pantaleon was consecrated – along with Saint Marcos – as the patron of Venice. That episode occurred on a 29th, therefore that day is remembered with simple food such as gnocchi. The accompanying ritual of putting money under the plate symbolizes the desire for new gifts.