From A History of Sicily vol II, Medieval Sicily 800-1713 copyright 1968 by D. Mack Smith, Published by The Viking Press we learn that in the 1500's, The Spaniards introduced...the tomato from Peru, maize from Mexico and Tobacco...the potato also arrived in Italy at the end of the sixteenth century. That would be...the 1500's. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gerarde's Herball, (in the 1597 first edition) lists tomatos as Apples of Love, commonly available in Italy and Spain, whence he got the seeds for his own garden, (he was growing and eating them) and lists both red and yellow varieties. Although his opinion of them is low, he includes a picture making identity certain, and notes it's wide usage in Spain... In Spain and those hot Regions they use to eate the Apples prepared and boiled with pepper, salt and oyle: but they yeeld very little nourishment to the body, and the same naught and corrupt. Likewise, they doe eate the Apples with oile, vinegre and pepper mixed together for sauce to their meat, even as we in these cold countries doe Mustard. (Tomato, oil, vinagar, and pepper....add garlic and it's spaghetti sauce....add sugar and it's ketchup!) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I send these to your attention to point out that in southern Europe, at least, the tomato was very popularly eaten. Prior to 1600.