Spicy Smoked Tomato Sofrito

Here is an excellent dipping sauce for the malanga crab fritters, empanadas, cheese or any other snack you prefer.

Ingredients

  • 4 large ripe tomatoes, smoked (need hickory wood chips)
  • 4 red peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 2 large white onions
  • 1 cup garlic cloves
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 4 chipolte peppers (canned adobo-style, available in Latin markets and some supermarkets)
  • 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. Oregano

Directions

To smoke tomatoes:

  • Place dry wood chips in a roasting pan (preferably an older one) and set on range.
  • Use enough heat to ignite the chips then turn the fire down to low.
  • Toss some chips that have been soaked in water over the hot chips until you get a nice even cold smoke.
  • Place tomatoes on a wire rack and set over the roasting pan.
  • Cover and smoke for 30 minutes making sure that the smoke stays cool.
  • Allow the tomatoes to cool.

Preparation:

  • In a large pot, add olive oil, onions, red peppers, garlic, tomatoes and chipolte peppers, in that order.
  • Place over medium heat and cook slowly until all the ingredients are very soft.
  • Add sugar, cumin and oregano.
  • Season to taste.
  • Cook an additional 15 minutes.
  • Puree mixture in a blender until smooth.
  • Strain sauce and serve.