[Lee Stewart]

Tomatoes were once so feared that they were called "poison apples." Their bad reputation was all a tragic mistake, however: Wealthy diners ate the fruit on pewter (made with lead) plates; the acid from the tomatoes leeched lead from the plates, sickening diners. Even people who didn't use pewter plates avoided the fruit because tomatoes are part of the deadly nightshade family. Today, however, we love tomatoes, eating them in everything from pasta sauces to pizza to salad.