The beginning of the 19th century witnessed the consumption of tomatoes throughout Italy. As tomatoes became more popular, people started consuming it with pasta. Before being combined with tomatoes, pasta was eaten dried by using fingers. However, when mixing with tomato sauce, it became a dish that required eaters to use a fork, thereby somewhat changing how Italians eat pasta. The first recipe of pasta with tomatoes, called 'vermicelli co le pomodoro’ was recorded by Ippolito Cavalcanti, Duke of Buonvicino in 1839. Around 1863, in Naples, pasta became a staple food, eaten with tomatoes and was regarded as food for the middle class.(Source:"The History of Pasta" from In mamma's kitchen)
