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Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes)

10 July, 2017 by Tara 8 Comments

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A recipe for Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes)! These roasted tomatoes are crushed with onion, garlic, and hot peppers and perfect for serving with sada roti.

Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes) in two white bowls with flatbread in the background.

Tomato Choka comes from Trinidad and highlights summer produce at its finest. I first came across the idea for this recipe over on Simply Trini Cooking and it has quickly become a favorite use for tomatoes.

Choka refers to the process of roasting the tomatoes to intensify their flavor before crushing and combining them with garlic, onion, and hot peppers.

I paired the Tomato Choka with Sada Roti, a type of pillowy flatbread. It would also be delicious with Chicken Roti or even grilled cheese, like This Bago Girl mentions.

Aerial view of Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes) in two bowls.

A Few Tops

I used the broiler set to high to char the tomatoes, but you can definitely take advantage of the grilling season and use an outdoor grill or open flame.

In this particular version, oil is heated just until hot and beginning to smoke before drizzling over the top of the thinly sliced onions and tomato mixture.

I have come across a couple of recipes that roast the peppers along with the tomatoes. Others also fried the garlic and onions in the pan before adding to the Choka.

Adjust the amount of peppers due to your own taste. For extra heat, don’t discard the seeds.

Looking for more recipes with tomatoes?

Try my:

  • Šalša (Croatian Tomato Sauce)
  • Pa amb Tomàquet (Catalan Bread with Tomato)
  • Domatosoupa Me Kritharaki (Greek Tomato Soup with Orzo)
Close up of Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes) in a bowl with chopped cilantro.

Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes) Recipe

Adapted from Simply Trini Cooking and Caribbean Pot

Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes)
Print Pin

Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes)

A recipe for Tomato Choka (Trinidadian Roasted Tomatoes)! These roasted tomatoes are crushed with onion, garlic, and hot peppers and perfect for serving with sada roti.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Trinidadian
Keyword Caribbean, tomato, Trinidad, Trinidadian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

  • 5 medium tomatoes
  • 4 garlic cloves peeled and sliced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 hot green peppers stems and seeds discarded
  • 1 small onion peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Freshly chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Remove the stem from each tomato and arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet. Place on the top rack of the oven and broil until the skins are charred and wrinkled, gently flipping once to char both sides. Remove from the oven.
  • Once cool enough to handle, gently discard the skins and crush the tomatoes into a large bowl. Remove any hard pieces like the cores. The tomatoes can also be charred on the grill.
  • In a mortar and pestle, smash the garlic with some salt and the peppers into a paste.
  • Mix into the crushed tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle the thinly sliced onions over the top. In a small saucepan, place the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Heat just until hot and beginning to smoke, then remove from heat and immediately drizzle over the sliced onions and tomato mixture.
  • Stir together, top with cilantro if desired, and serve with sada roti.
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Filed Under: North American, Vegetables

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alyssa

    10 July, 2017 at 7:58 am

    This reminds me of a tomato chutney or even a fresh salsa in Mexican culture!

    Reply
  2. Shashi at Savory Spin

    10 July, 2017 at 9:01 am

    I don’t think I have ever had Tomato Choka before – the thought of roasting the tomatoes first imparts so much flavor to this dish! Yum!

    Reply
  3. Sally

    10 July, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    Haven’t told you lately how I love your Website and you but can’t wait to try this recipe. Sounds like the best salsa. Best to you and your family.

    Reply
  4. michele

    10 July, 2017 at 10:10 am

    My brother was just in Trinidad with some friends of his…. he’s been raving about how amazing the food was …. Im going to make this to have with a steak dish he was telling me about from there. Your recipe couldn’t have come at a better time!

    Reply
  5. Suzy

    10 July, 2017 at 10:14 am

    There is a Mediterranean dish similar to this tomato choka! We absolutely love it! Will give this a try.

    Reply
  6. Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy

    10 July, 2017 at 10:26 am

    This is like the most intense and amazing salsa ever! I cannot wait to try this!!!

    Reply
  7. Gloria

    1 January, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    W0ha about the green peppers? How are they cooked and added to the dish?

    Reply
    • Tara

      1 January, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      Hi Gloria! I mashed the peppers along with the garlic. If you prefer, you can also roast them first.

      Reply

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