Toscana Gnocchi

What makes this dish Tuscan? CANNELLINI BEANS! Cannellini beans are very popular in Italy,  especially Tuscany, and are the reason Tuscans are referred to as "bean eaters." These beans are related to kidney beans, great northern, navy, and green beans, but are not the same! All beans seem to share a few characteristics: they are low cost, have a long shelf life, low in fat, high in fiber and protein. You may hear cannellini beans being called "white kidney beans," which is, for the most part, true. All that aside, the beans make this dish and you end up looking like a pro. 

Tips:

Easier you say - if you want to make this recipe a little faster, use a 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes instead of dicing them yourself.
If you must - if you are having trouble finding cannellini beans (which shouldn't be too hard) navy beans or great northern beans can be substitutes.

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Servings: 5-6 servings

1, 16 ounce package potato gnocchi

1 Tablespoon olive oil 

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt   

2 cloves garlic, minced

1, 6 ounces bag fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped

1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tomatoes, diced

1, 15 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup tomato sauce or juice

Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1) Fill a large pot with salted water and turn on high to boil. Meanwhile, prepare the rest of the dish.

2) In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add to the pan the chopped onion and salt. Saute for 4-5 minutes until the onions are translucent. 

3) Add in with the onion the garlic, spinach, Italian seasoning, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the spinach is wilted and soft.

4) Add the tomatoes, cannellini beans and tomato sauce into the pan.

5) Drop the gnocchi into the pot of boiling water and cook them until they begin to float to the surface (3-4 minutes). 

6) Add the gnocchi in with the vegetables and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

7) Plate the dish and top with Parmesan cheese.