Pomegranate-peach Barbecue Sauce

Contributed by Bryant Terry, author of Afro-Vegan.

Tomato sauce, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, chipotle chile, sage

Yields: about 2-1/2 cups.

Soundtrack: “Never Can Say Goodbye” by Isaac Hayes from Black Moses

Recommended reading: To Make Our World Anew: Volume I: A History of African Americans to 1880 edited by Robin D. G. Kelley and Early Lewis

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1⁄4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup diced peeled peaches
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup pomegranate molasses
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons tamari
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 to 3 tablespoons chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage

Directions:

Warm the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, salt, and cayenne and sauté until the onion is soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer to a blender. Add the peaches, tomato sauce, water, vinegar, pomegranate molasses, lime juice, tamari, tomato paste, and chipotle chile and process until smooth.

Pour the sauce back into the saucepan and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 20 minutes. Stir in the sage and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Taste and season with more salt if desired. Use immediately or store in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.