Choc'a

Choc'a is a traditional dish originating from Guatemala, specifically the town of Almolonga. The dish is made with a combination of boneless pork shoulder that's cut into chunks, onions, tomatoes, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, garlic, black peppercorns, and dried red chili peppers. The meat, onions, and tomatoes are simmered until the tomatoes become tender and their skin starts to peel off. The skins are discarded, and the tomatoes are placed back into the pot to simmer with the other ingredients. The sesame and pumpkin seeds are cooked in a skillet with garlic, chili, and peppercorns until toasted. The mixture is combined with cooked tomatoes and ground with a stone grinder or mortar and pestle into a thick and creamy sauce. The meat and the sauce are served together, usually with rice or corn tamales on the side.