Tomato is a fruit of a plant native to Central and South America. Today it is the most consumed vegetable in Italy. Tomatos are fleshy berries of different shapes, depending on the variety: It can be oval (the famous perino), smooth round or ribbed round small or large (there are tomatoes just bigger than cherries). Its color fades from green to red when unripe, but becomes bright red when fully ripe.

The oval-shaped tomato varieties, the famous "San Marzano", are the most suitable for preparing sauces, while the round or ribbed ones are excellent for salads, stuffed or cooked in the oven.

The tomato is also commercially available as a concentrate (in tubes or jars), peeled, pureed, dried or chopped.