ZCHUG (YEMENITE CHILE SAUCE)

"Zchug, the Yemenite chile sauce that has become Israel’s national seasoning, is one of Marlena Spieler’s favorite condiments. It is hot with chiles, pungent with garlic and fragrant with exotic cardamom. Eat it with rice, couscous, soup, chicken or other meats. You also can add a little to a tomato sauce for spaghetti, or dunk French fries into it, or stir it into a coleslaw that will knock your socks off."

6 or more garlic cloves, chopped
2 or 3 jalapeno chiles, stemmed, seeded and chopped
5 ripe tomatoes, diced (canned OK)
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
Seeds from 3 to 5 cardamom pods, crushed
Juice of 1/2 lemon (or to taste)
Pinch of sugar
Salt (to taste)

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process to a chunky consistency.

Makes about 2 cups
Source: The San Francisco Chronicle Cookbook Volume II