What is "gnudi"

a. (masculine plural of gnudo Italian) n. A kind of pasta similar to gnocchi, but made with ricotta instead of potatoes.

Gnudi are gnocchi-like dumplings made with ricotta cheese instead of potato, with very little or no flour. The result is often a lighter, "pillowy" dish, unlike the often denser, chewier gnocchi. Gnudi is an English-adopted onomatopoeic word for the Italian term "nude" (naked), the idea being that these "pillowy" balls of ricotta (and sometimes spinach) are "nude ravioli", consisting of just the tasty filling without the pasta shell.

In Italy they are known as "strangolapreti" (priest choker) or simply as "gnocchi di ricotta e spinaci" (ricotta and spinach gnocchi).

Gnudi became a popular dish after a special version was served at The Spotted Pig restaurant in New York.