Cotechino con Lenticchie is a traditional Italian pork sausage and lentil dish for New Year’s Day.
This traditional dish combines two of Italy’s culinary symbols of good luck, the lentil and the pig.
This dish originated in Modena and has become a celebratory dish for the new year throughout Italy.
Cotechino con Lenticchie: (Serves 4)
Ingredients:
- 1 pound cotechino (Italian pork sausage)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 whole black peppercorns
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- 7 cups of water
- 1 pound dry green lentils
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 large carrot, quartered
- salt & pepper to taste
- 4 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bunch chopped fresh parsley
Procedure:
- Pierce cotechino in several places with a fork.
- Place in a large pot with chopped onion, bay leaf, peppercorns, and thyme.
- Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and let simmer for 45-50 minutes for fresh cotechino; 20 minutes for precooked cotechino.
- In a separate pot, combine the lentils, quartered onion, garlic, bay leaf, carrot, and salt and pepper.
- Cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes or until lentils are soft. Add additional water if necessary.
- Remove onion, garlic, bay leaf, and carrot.
- Spoon lentils into a serving dish.
- Drizzle with olive oil and slice rounds of the cotechino over the top.
- Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve
Wishing you all a healthy & prosperous NEW YEAR!