Place the beef, onion, cheesecloth containing the pickling spices, vinegar, water, salt and pepper in a pot. Cook, covered, over low heat for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until beef is tender.

Put the ginger snaps in a bowl with the water. Let them soak and then mix together until ginger snaps dissolve completely .

Remove the cheesecloth containing the pickling spices and the onions from the pot. Add the ginger snap mixture and cook about 10 minutes more.

While the beef finishes cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil and then reduce to a high simmer. Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top. Drain gnocchi and add to the beef.

To serve put a slice of white bread in the bottom of a shallow bowl and spoon the sour beef on top.