Ajotomate

Ajotomate is a traditional salad originating from the region of Murcia. The salad is usually made with a combination of ripe tomatoes, garlic, red wine vinegar, cumin, pimentón or paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Using a mortar and pestle, the garlic is mashed with the salt into a paste which is then mixed with chopped tomatoes until well blended. The vinegar, pepper, cumin, and pimentón are added to the mortar and pounded until smooth. Olive oil is next, which will result in a vinaigrette. The remaining tomatoes are cut into slices, arranged on a platter, and topped with the vinaigrette. Before serving, the salad is sprinkled with cumin seeds.