- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 3/4 cup finely chopped peeled carrot
- 3/4 cup well-washed thinly sliced leeks
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces Italian fennel sausage (sweet or hot), casings removed
- 2 tablespoons medium-grind cornmeal (polenta)
- 5 cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock
- 4 cups packed stemmed and coarsely chopped kale or chard leaves, or a combination
- Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano for serving
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, leeks, garlic, salt, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper and cook, stirring, until the onion becomes translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Drain off the excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Stir in the cornmeal. Add the stock, stirring, and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the greens and cook for 15 minutes more, or until tender.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with grated Parmigiano.