Tomato and chocolate: A surprising duo in summer sauces

Tomato sauce in Italian cuisine has a well-established position. Just sauté the tomatoes, add spices, and serve with pasta for a delicious meal. Although it's so simple, there are numerous recipes for the sauce because it can be seasoned in many ways.

It's best to choose meaty tomatoes, such as beefsteak or heirloom, for the sauce. This way, it will be thick and aromatic. Classic sauce recipes made from fresh tomatoes also include garlic and basil. Adding vegetables like onion, carrot, bell pepper, or celery is beneficial for a richer flavour.

I always gladly return to the classics, but in the summer, I also prepare tomato sauce with unexpected ingredients. They enhance the sweetness of the tomatoes. The first is chocolate. Use dark chocolate. Just a small piece is enough. This ingredient adds depth and intensity. It's often used to season the well-known Mexican dish chilli con carne, which is also tomato-based. If you have doubts whether tomatoes and chocolate are a good combination, try chocolate tomatoes. This variety is becoming increasingly popular. They can also be used in this sauce. They have a sweet flavour, firm flesh, and dark skin.

The second not-so-obvious ingredient for this sauce is peaches. It's currently the season for these fruits. You can buy them from local farms, and choosing such ones is best. They should be ripe. These fruits are very sweet, and that's the point. They enhance the taste of the tomatoes. Everything is balanced by herbs, which add freshness to the dish. It's worth trying this sauce, as it might be the summer's discovery.

Ingredients:

                                  
• 3 large, ripe tomatoes
• 1 sweet, ripe peach
• a piece of dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 shallot
• a few sprigs of greens to choose from — cilantro, parsley, basil
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• salt, pepper to taste

Preparation method:

1. Finely chop the shallot and garlic and sauté in heated olive oil.
2. Peel the tomatoes and peaches and chop them very finely. You can grate the peaches on a grater.
3. Add butter, tomatoes, and peaches when the shallot and garlic are golden.
4. Sauté on low heat, stirring frequently.
5. After 5 minutes, add the finely chopped piece of chocolate.
6. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, and mix well. Heat for another minute.
7. Finally, add the herbs and serve with your favourite pasta.