Sausage, Squash, Bean and Chard Soup

Step 1

Heat a drizzle of neutral oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage into small pieces and cook until the meat is no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butternut squash, celery and onion. Season with a couple good pinches of salt and cook until just softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the rosemary, garlic and bay leaves. Stir and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, breaking them up with your spoon, then add the water, chicken broth, cannellini beans and garbanzo beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until slightly reduced and fragrant and the flavors have nicely developed, 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in the chard leaves and stems and allow to cook until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.

Step 3

Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle with olive oil and finish with a couple grinds of black pepper. Serve with sourdough bread for dunking. The soup will keep in a covered container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.