The tomato is related to nightshade and looks pretty weedy itself as it sprawls across the ground where it has escaped the confines of the tomato cage.

Originating in South America, it was cultivated in what is now called Mexico, and was brought to Europe by the Spanish, eventually making its way to Italy and the rest of southern Europe in the 16th century.

Where would pasta and pizza have gone if tomato sauce had not been cooked up?

The first colonists of Virginia brought tomatoes to North America, which seems a pretty roundabout way of heading north from South America/Mexico, but that's the path a lot of influences took. Perhaps the deserts of the Southwest were too great a barrier to north/south travel.

As I remember, at one time tomatoes were thought to be poisonous, perhaps because of their obvious relationship to deadly nightshade.

I'm saving seeds from the heirloom tomatoes I bought and will try growing them from seed next year. I don't have much luck with seeds, but it's worth a try.

This year's established plants are growing fast and there are small green tomatoes on every plant. I don't think we'll miss the one that had to be dug up and discarded at all.

Wish I could share them with you!