History of the tradition of eating gnocchi on the 29th
On the 29th of each month, gnocchi are eaten in Uruguay. It is common to find it on the menus of all restaurants as the main dish on the 29th every month, but families also prepare them at home as a ritual.
This tradition, originally Italian, arrived in the Americas, specifically in this country, as a result of European immigration that occurred between 1870 and 1960. Nearly a century of European migration left Swiss, German, Dutch, and Italian communities in Uruguay and Argentina, countries favored by immigrants.
The Italian community became so prominent in this country that one-third of the population bears Italian surnames, meaning Italy contributed to the population growth here.
This tradition is based on the legend of Nicomedia, a young doctor who converted to Christianity and decided to pilgrimage through northern Italy. He was said to heal people miraculously and preached in the Italian countryside. According to legend, on July 29th, a peasant family offered him a simple dish—gnocchi—as an expression of gratitude, and he prophesied a year of prosperity, good harvests, and abundant fishing.
Since then, the custom has been to eat gnocchi on the 29th of each month, and it is traditional to leave a bill or a coin under the plate as a sign of abundance.
The national day of gnocchi, a tradition that doesn’t exist in Italy
Interestingly, this Italian-origin tradition took root in Uruguay and became a national celebration. A gnocchi day was even declared—an occasion that does not exist in Italy.
Besides serving as a way to highlight the cultural contributions of the Italian community to Uruguay, it also symbolizes solidarity. When the Italian community arrived, some members were very prosperous, while others struggled.
As a very supportive and united community, those with greater economic stability would invite less fortunate community members to a special meal at the end of the month. What better dish than gnocchi? They often left a coin under the plate to help their brothers and sisters make ends meet.
In Uruguay, they eat potato gnocchi
Gnocchi are a very old Italian dish. It is said that their name translates to “small balls” because they were initially prepared as small flour balls. Remember, pasta was introduced to Europe by Asians, who made it from flour.
Potatoes are a tuber native to the Americas. The first historical records indicate they were abundant in Bolivia and Peru. Through colonization, potatoes reached Europe, where they began to be used to make gnocchi. Today, gnocchi are distinguished from other pasta types by their base of the famous tuber.
In the Southern Cone of South America, gnocchi are made primarily from potatoes. They are quite practical and simple to prepare. The cooking time is around 10 minutes. They can be served with various sauces, such as traditional tomato sauce, basil pesto, or ragu. Usually, they are served with toasted bread pieces and garnished with a sprig of parsley.
Since then, gnocchi have become a representative dish of Uruguay. If you visit the country, you shouldn’t miss trying them. And if you learn how to prepare them, you can enjoy these anytime and experience a delightful fusion of Italian and Uruguayan cuisines.
