It may sound like a low budget horror movie, but the truth is far more tantalising. The Day of the Gnocchi, celebrated on the 29th of every month, sees Uruguayans nationwide sitting down to mountainous servings of the scrumptious dumplings.
The simple flour and potato patties first came to Uruguay with a flood of Italian immigrants at the turn of the 20th century.
Some say the tradition began in honour of Saint Pantaleon, an 8th-century Italian pilgrim whose blessing brought prosperity to those peasants who shared their meagre food with him. Others argue that it harks back to harder times when potatoes and flour were all that was left by the end of the month.
Either way, it’s not unusual to find a banknote tucked beneath a plate to attract wealth and prosperity.
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