Moroccan Cooked Tomato and Green Pepper Salad -- Taktouka

Moroccan cuisine includes some delicious cooked salads which are eaten as dips. This zesty tomato and green pepper salad is known as taktouka in some parts of Morocco.

Serves 4.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 ripe fresh tomatoes (peeled, seeded and chopped)
• 2 or 3 large fresh green peppers (roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped)
• 3 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped or pressed
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• pinch of cayenne or red pepper (optional)
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a large frying pan. Cook over medium to medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes are very soft. Adjust the heat if necessary to keep the tomatoes and peppers from burning.
Smash the softened tomatoes with a spoon, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until the liquids are reduced to oil. At this point the salad should be well-blended and can be stirred away from the sides of the pan.
Serve taktouka warm or cold with crusty bread for scooping up the salad.