Kabocha French Lentil Soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 kabocha or other dark orange winter squash, 1 1/2 lb. / 24 ounces / 680 g
• 1/2 cup / 120 ml water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• sea salt
• 1 cup / 7 oz / 200 g green lentils, rinsed
• 5 coins ginger, 1/8-inch thick
• 1 whole star anise
• 6 cups / 1.5 liters water
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 cup / 60 ml olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, medium dice
• 1 leek, sliced into 1/4 moons
• 1 fennel bulb, medium dice
• red pepper flakes