Tomato

A tomato is any of several plants belonging to the genus Lycopersicon of the Nightshade family. Native to Mexico and Central and South America, the fruits are mildly acidic, pulpy and usually reddish in colour. They can be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. The specific name lycopersicum means wolf-peach and tomatoes are a major food of wild canines in south America.

Textured fungal protein can be shaped textured, coloured and flavoured into reasonable facsimiles of tomatoes, steak, potatoes, linguine and broccoli but the meats tend to be truer than the vegetables.

On 12 March 2143, Perry Epp, who was running for the presidential election, was filmed eating a two-pound homegrown tomato for his lunch -- in marked contrast to the textured fungal protein burger favoured by his running mate, Julian Matthews. Epp commented, "I believe in real food for real people."