Tomatoes are originally from Central and South America and became popular in Italy in the 16th century. The Italian word for tomato, pomodoro, means “golden apple.” Initially the tomato was used as a table decoration, and did not find its way into Italian cuisine until the 18th century.
Today, the most prized variety for sauces is the San Marzano tomato, from the Campania region near Naples. It is said that volcanic ash from Mt. Vesuvius enriches the soil causing the tomatoes to be especially flavorful.