Part 1/9:
The Journey of the Tomato: From New World to Italian Staple
The narrative of tomatoes as a cornerstone of Italian cuisine is rich, intriguing, and surprising. Initially, these juicy fruits were not even native to Italy or Europe. In fact, they weren't introduced to the European continent until the mid-1500s. The first documented recipe for tomato sauce in Italy did not appear until 1692. With dishes like pizza, bruschetta, and pasta with red sauce springing to mind when we think of Italian food, one must wonder how tomatoes transformed into an Italian staple.