An Argentine Tradition - Eating Gnocchi On The 29th

Argentine ñoqui Tradition

Not having much luck (financially) these days? May be because you didn’t eat ñoquis (gnocchi) on the 29th last month! Yes, here in Argentina, we have a tradition (or some say, superstition) of eating ñoquis on the 29th of every month for luck. Like many cultural customs here, this tradition stems from the Italian immigrants who came to work and live in Argentina in the 19th century. Ñoquis are little dumplings made from potato and flour, and are traditionally served in tomato sauce. A very easy to make and economical dish.

There are generally 2 popular versions to the origin of this gnocchi custom:

Back in the 8th Century, there was a young doctor called Pantaleon who converted to Christianity and traveled across Italy performing miraculous deeds. It was on the day of 29th that he was canonized and became Saint Pantaleon, one of the Patrons of Venice. One famous story went like this: One day along his pilgrimage, he was in need for some food. He came by a farmer’s house and asked them for some food. Even though the farmers themselves were very poor, they still offered him the little bread that they had; and in return, Saint Pantaleon blessed the farmers with great harvest the next year. The following year, the farmers indeed produced a lot of crops and had the most prosperous year they ever had. That’s how the 29th has become the day to eat inexpensively to honor St. Pantaleon.

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The Italian immigrants were on a meager salary. Since they got paid on the first of every month, by the end of the month, there wasn’t much money left and they could only afford inexpensive meal. So on the day before pay day, ñoquis became the best option because not only they can be made cheaply, but also they are nutritional and very belly-filling.

Nowadays, to add to the ‘effort’, when you eat your ñoquis dish, also put money underneath your plate. After you finish the meal, some say carry that money with you which will bring you luck, or some say you have to donate that money to charity in order to get good fortune. Since this has become such a tradition that on this very day, you’ll see many businesses in Buenos Aires like restaurants, supermarkets and pasta shops offering some type of ñoquis specials.

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