Cotechino with lentils

Cotechino with lentils is a traditional Italian dish, typical of the New Year’s period, symbolizing abundance and luck for the coming year. Here’s how to prepare this rich and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

• 1 precooked cotechino (about 500-700 g)
• 300 g of dry lentils
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 stalk of celery
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Water or vegetable broth as needed

Preparation

1. Start by placing the precooked cotechino in a large pot and cover it with cold water. If the cotechino is not precooked, follow the instructions on the package as cooking times may vary.

2. Bring the water to a boil and cook the cotechino for the time indicated on the package, usually about 2 hours.

3. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, soak the lentils for about an hour, then rinse and drain them.

4. Peel and finely chop the onion, carrot, and celery to prepare a sauté. Brown the chopped vegetables in a pot with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and the bay leaves.

5. Add the lentils to the vegetables and cover with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat and let simmer for about 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Remember to check occasionally and add water or broth if necessary.

6. When the lentils are nearly ready, adjust the salt and pepper. Do not stir the lentils too often to avoid breaking them.

7. Once the cotechino is cooked, remove it from the water and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it.

8. Serve the warm cotechino accompanied by the lentils.

Curiosity

The original cotechino comes from the city of Modena, and the tradition of eating lentils on New Year’s Eve dates back to the times of the ancient Romans, who would give a pouch of lentils as a wish for prosperity, as it was believed they would then “grow” into coins.