Traditional Moroccan Dishes: Matbucha (Moroccan Tomato Salad)

Deliciously tasty, especially when served cold with fresh, warm pitta or crusty bread, Matbucha is a typical example of a traditional Moroccan dish that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a sauce or topping in many other recipes.

Traditional Moroccan Dishes: Matbucha

To make this delicious Moroccan tomato salad for six people you will need:

• 2 green bell peppers
• 1.5 kg of peeled, diced tomatoes (8 large tomatoes or 2 cans)
• 1 Jalapeno (medium sized chili pepper), seeded and minced
• 1 minced clove of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of chili pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil

To make the Matbucha:

• Roast your bell peppers, seed them, peel the charred skin off and chop the flesh
• Combine the pieces of roasted bell pepper, diced tomatoes and jalapeno in a saucepan with the garlic, chili flakes, sugar and salt
• Use medium high heat to bring everything to the boil
• Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer
• Maintaining a constant, medium simmer, allow to cook for approximately 65 to 75 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to prevent your mixture sticking to the pan's bottom

Once most of the liquid has reduced and your mixture has cooked down to a thickish consistency, it is time to add the oil:

• Whisk the oil and paprika together in a bowl
• Pour the mixture into the pan
• Allow to cook for another 30 minutes, again stirring regularly (every 5 minutes or so)
• Adjust your seasoning to taste near the end of this time
• Remove from heat and allow to cool

Matbucha is best served chilled or at room temperature.

More Moroccan Cuisine

If you'd like to learn how to prepare other traditional Moroccan dishes, why not join a cookery course at Les Borjs de la Kasbah next time you visit Marrakech?!

Image & Recipe Source: https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/matbucha/