What is a Gnudi?

In case you are not in the know, a gnudi is the latest trend in Italian cooking. Gnudi is "nude" in Italian, and is the dish everyone is talking about and trying to order in San Diego restaurants - and with a sexy name like that who wouldn't want to try it?

Well, what is a gnudi? It is actually "naked ravioli", meaning you take the filling out of ravioli - whether it's mushroom and Parmesan, chicken and herb, lobster or beef, and leave off the pasta. This is great news for people like my friend who discovered she was allergic to wheat and had to abandon pasta and bread for good, and spends many tedious visits to restaurants checking on the flour content of food, and asking for burgers without the bun.

If you want to try this delicious concoction, check out the chestnut-butternut squash gnudi with Asian water buffalo ricotta at restaurant 1500 Ocean at the beautiful Hotel Del in Coronado, but if you do go, shirt and shoes are still required!