Culture & History

Ring in the New Year with good fortune using this recipe from For the Love of Italian Cooking!

Lentil Soup with Sausage

New Years Day symbolizes a new beginning for those of Italian heritage. Families and friends get together to celebrate and as usual, food plays a major role in the celebration. The meal may include sausage with lentils, lentils symbolizing money and good fortune.

• ½ pound sweet Italian sausage

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

• 1 (16 ounce) package dry lentils, rinsed

• 1 medium carrot, shredded

• 2 cans chicken broth

• 8 cups water

• 2 bay leaves

• ½ teaspoon dried basil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• ½ pound small shell pasta

Remove meat from sausage and sauté in a medium-size frying pan until meat breaks up into small pieces. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel.

In a large stockpot, place olive oil and sauté onions and garlic until tender. Stir in lentils, sausage meat, shredded carrots, broth and water. Season with bay leaves, basil, salt and pepper to taste.

Bring ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 3 hours, or until lentils are tender. Stir in pasta and cook additional 15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Try sprinkling some grated Italian cheese on top for that extra “Italian taste.” Felice Anno Nuovo!

Nancy DiFiore Quinn
National Treasurer
Per Sempre Ladies Lodge #2344A
Lynbrook, New York
Grand Lodge of New York