Pumpkin with Sausage, Kale and Pasta

Who would have thought that those golden cubes of pumpkin could be so good in a dish like this?  Besides tasting great, pumpkin is a "super food"-a great source of Alpha- and Beta-carotene, high in fiber, low in calories.  It also helps lessen the risk of breast cancer and helps prevent cardiovascular disease.  By adding kale to it gives you a double-dose of superfood greatness! What's not to love? 

Yield:  Makes 6 servings

1 pound sweet or mild Italian sausage, casings removed if using links
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cups 3/4-inch-diced, peeled and seeded pumpkin
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried marjoram or 1 heaping tablespoon fresh
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup Lacinato kale, trimmed, ribs removed, leaves cut into 1-inch pieces
3 ounces dried pasta
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat.  Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.  Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and then drain well.

In a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon,until mostly browned, 6 to 8 minutes.  Push the sausage towards the edge of the skillet and add the olive oil.  Add the onion and cook until golden and the sausage is well browned, about 8 minutes.  Stir in the garlic and marjoram and add the wine, cooking until the wine evaporates.  Add the pumpkin cubes and about 1 cup of the broth and cook until the pumpkin is almost tender, about 8 minutes.  Add the kale and the remaining chicken broth, cover and cook until the pumpkin and kale are tender, about 4 minutes.

Add the pasta to the skillet with enough of the reserved pasta water to coat the pasta and vegetables generously.  Stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve with additional Parmigiano-Reggiano.

NOTE:  Look for "sugar" or "pie" pumpkins.  They will be smaller than the jack-o-lantern pumpkins.