Sausage, Lentil, Kale and Butternut Squash Stew

1 large onion, chopped finely
2 packs (approx 600 grams each) of mild italian sausages (I've used Freden brand), chopped into 1 inch pieces
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cup dried lentils (green or french lentils)
2 litres of hot water
5 cups diced butternut squash (approx 1 small squash)
8 cups chopped fresh kale

You'll most likely need to add another litre of boiling water toward the end of cooking as this gets very thick (and yummy). I don't use stock asI find there is enough sodium in the sausages, but that is my personal preference. I've also made this substituting 1 large sweet potato finely diced for the butternut squash.

Good luck!

In a soup pot over medium heat, stirring regularly:
* cook off all the sausage until at least partially cooked, then set sausage aside, leaving the fat in the pot
*saute the onions in the rendered pork fat until caramelized
* add in and lightly saute chopped garlic until soft
* add in dry lentils and the partially cooked sausage, stirring for a couple of minutes
* add hot water
* simmer covered for 20 minutes
* add in butternut squash and mix through, cooking for another 10 minutes (covered)
* add in chopped kale, mix through, and cook for another 10-15 minutes (covered).

Add more liquid as needed and to your preference.

Serving Size: 14 - 1+ cup servings