Cotechino with Lentils (Italian Pork Sausage)
Cotechino is an iconic Italian dish traditionally eaten on New Year's Day because lentils symbolize abundance and prosperity. The dish originates from Northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region, where pork sausages hold a special place in gastronomy. Cooking Cotechino is time-consuming, but the result is an extremely flavorful and juicy meat dish that is perfectly complemented by stewed lentils. This recipe is an excellent choice not only for festive occasions but also for special dinners, bringing the best of traditional Italian cuisine to the table.
Ingredients for this recipe
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Preparation Steps
1
Unwrap the cotechino sausage and prick it several times with a fork to allow the fat to render during cooking.
2
Place the sausage in a large pot and cover with 2 liters of water. Simmer over low heat for 2 hours, or until the sausage is completely tender.
3
Meanwhile, prepare the lentils: rinse them under cold water, then soak them for 30 minutes.
4
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion, celery, and carrot, and sauté until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
5
Add the soaked lentils to the skillet, and cover with enough water to submerge them. Season with salt, pepper, and rosemary. Simmer over low heat for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
6
Once the sausage is cooked, remove it from the water and let it rest for a few minutes. Then slice it into approximately 1 cm thick slices.
7
Serve the cotechino slices with the stewed lentils, while hot. Garnish with fresh rosemary.
