At Piccolo Trattoria, with the original and recently expanded flagship restaurant being located in Newtown, pumpkin gnocchi is more than just a seasonal dish. It's a heartfelt celebration of culinary craftsmanship and fall flavors. For Fami Elabed, the founder and chef behind this beloved dish, creating this autumntime favorite is a labor of love that blends simple, fresh ingredients to create something extraordinary.
“The process of crafting pumpkin gnocchi is much more than cooking; it's a connection to the season and a way to honor tradition,” says Fami.
He uses this special dish to present the warmth and richness for which autumn is known. It’s his way of sharing his passion for authentic Italian cuisine with a modern, seasonal twist. “Our pumpkin gnocchi is like a cozy sweater for your taste buds. It’s the dish that makes you fall in love with fall all over again," says Amali Elabed, Fami’s wife and partner in the business.
The story of this signature dish goes beyond their kitchen. In 2016, the couple embarked on a culinary journey across Italy, a trip that influenced their recipes. In these travels, they say they had the incredible opportunity to meet and work with chefs who define Italian cuisine. These chefs, keepers of culinary traditions, learned their craft in their mothers' kitchens, with generational flair. "Cooking alongside them in their actual home kitchens was a thrilling experience," Fami assures.
When presenting the pumpkin gnocchi recipe, Fami received the nod of approval verifying the authenticity of his hit dish. The Elabeds take great pride in this validation.
Piccolo Trattoria serves up fresh made gnocchi daily. The pumpkin limited-edition is rolled out annually in season, and is much-anticipated by the restaurant's core customers. The signature dish blends their passion for using seasonal ingredients with the authenticity and tradition of Italian home cooking.
"Each time we prepare and serve this dish, we're reminded of those home kitchens in Italy, the warmth of the chefs we met, and the inspiration around bringing the dish home," Fami says.
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