Tomate frito (Spanish for fried tomato) is a pureed tomato sauce with a hint of onion and garlic that can be used as a base ingredient or enjoyed simply for its own flavour. It is distinct from most tomato sauces because the tomatoes have been fried, and its ingredients include a small amount of vegetable oil.
It is the most common tomato ingredient of Spanish cuisine apart from fresh tomatoes and is sold under many brand names, made by first low frying garlic and onion pieces in oil with spices and then adding the tomato puree to produce what is known as sofrito.
