Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 45–50 minutes, or until very tender.
Let them cool slightly, then scoop out the flesh into a large bowl and mash until completely smooth.
Stir in the olive oil and sea salt. Gradually add the flour, starting with a spoon, then switching to your hands. Mix just until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. Add a little extra flour only if needed, but keep the dough soft.
Make the Gnocchi
Lightly flour your work surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions.
Roll each portion into a long rope about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick.
Cut the ropes into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces.
To create gnocchi ridges, place each piece at the top of the fork tines and gently press down, rolling it forward with your thumb.
Place the shaped gnocchi onto a lightly floured baking sheet.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil.
Drop in the gnocchi in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Once the gnocchi float (2–3 minutes), cook for 30 seconds more, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Make the Rosemary Butter Sauce
In a large skillet, melt the vegan butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the garlic and rosemary; sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the walnuts and toast for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
Add the cooked gnocchi directly into the skillet and toss gently to coat, allowing the edges to become lightly crisp.
Serve
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Top with vegan parmesan if desired and serve warm.
Notes
Refrigerator: Store the sweet potato gnocchi and sauce in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing cooked and sauced gnocchi. Instead, freeze uncooked gnocchi on a parchment-lined baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Boil from frozen, then make the sauce as directed in the recipe.
To reheat: Sauté leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of oil or butter until warmed and lightly crisp. The microwave also works, but the texture won’t be as good—they’re likely to get mushy.