Cotechino is a traditional style sausage made with pork rind, lean pork meat and back fat. Seasoned with cloves and cinnamon, it pairs well with the humble lentil.

Clean and rinse lentils. Let soak in a pot with 4 cups of water. Rinse the cotechino. Pierce the sausage with a fork to help fat come out and cook it over low heat in lightly salted water. In a soup pot, heat parsley, sage, garlic, tomatoes and olive oil. When warm, add lentils, salt and pepper. Cook it for a few minutes, adding water as needed for a good, thick soup. Slice cotechino in 1/4 inch coins and add to lentils. Cook it all for a few more minutes for full flavor.