Cinnamon Sweet Potato Gnocchi

i would like to thank all of my loyal readers for your support over the past several weeks during project food blog. alas, this is the end of the road for me. the pizza did me in. although it's over, i did enjoy the ride and am still proud to say out of 1,800 bloggers, i made it to the top 72. plus, there is always next year i suppose (that is if foodbuzz does it again).

so, onward and upward as they say. i have been wanting to share this super easy but incredibly tasty sweet potato gnoochi recipe for some time now. i had seen an episode of everyday italian with giada de laurentiis years ago with gnocchi tossed in butter, sugar, and cinnamon. i immediately filed it away in my cramped little brain and promptly forget about it. when i spotted sweet potato gnocchi at wegmans the other day, the file re-emerged and i knew i had to try it.

as it turns out, my instincts were right and the sweet potato gnocchi tastes wonderful dressed in slightly spicy sweetness. it is a wonderful fall treat - like sweet pillows touched with cinnamon and butter. as E said its like having cinnamon buns for dinner. i will admit to drastically reducing the butter that ms. de laurentiis recommended and using my usual agave nectar instead of sugar. i served it with a simple garlic roasted broccoli and our bellies were quite content.

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Cinnamon Sweet Potato Gnocchi
(serves 2-3)
adapted from giada de laurentiis

4 tbs butter
1 cinnamon stick
9 oz sweet potato gnocchi
2 tbs agave nectar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt

melt butter over medium heat in large skillet. add cinnamon stick and reduce heat to low. let butter gently simmer for 10 minutes so cinnamon will infuse.

cook gnocchi according to package directions (when gnocchi float to the surface, they are ready). drain and set aside.

add agave, ground cinnamon, and salt to butter and stir well. remove cinnamon stick and stir in cooked gnocchi. toss well to coat and serve immediately.