Checca sauce (salsa checca) is an uncooked Roman sauce made by combining chopped ripe tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil, sometimes with a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. Because it is assembled and left to macerate rather than simmered, it keeps a bright, raw tomato flavor unlike a cooked tomato sauce. It is used mainly to dress long pasta such as spaghetti or linguine, and also works as a topping for grilled fish, chicken, or vegetables.