Old Fashioned Lentil Soup

This hearty soup is from my Mom's recipe book.

1/4 cup salad oil
2 cups diced cooked ham
1/2 pound Polish sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 large onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 cups chopped celery, with leaves
1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 pound dried lentils, rinsed
3 quarts water (or vegetable broth)
1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1-1/2 tsp. salt (adjust to taste)
1 10-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

In large kettle, heat oil. Add ham, sausage, onions and garlic. Cook 5 minutes. Add celery, tomatoes, lentils, water, liquid hot pepper sauce and salt. Cover and cook over low heat for 2 hours. Add spinach and cook 10 minutes.

Yield: Makes 4 quarts.