country_of_origin taco salad
The tomato ( see pronunciation ) is the edible fruit of " Solanum lycopersicum ", commonly known as a tomato plant , which belongs to the nightshade family , " Solanaceae ". The species originated in Central and South America . The Nahuatl ( Aztec language ) word " tomatl " gave rise to the Spanish word " tomate ", from which the English word tomato originates . Numerous varieties of tomato are widely grown in temperate climates across the world , with greenhouses allowing its production throughout the year and in cooler areas . The plants typically grow to in height and have a weak stem that often sprawls over the ground and vines over other plants . It is a perennial in its native habitat , and grown as an annual in temperate climates . An average common tomato weighs approximately . Its use as a food originated in ___MASK70___ , and spread throughout the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas . Tomato is consumed in diverse ways , including raw , as an ingredient in many dishes , sauces , salads , and drinks . While tomatoes are botanically berry - type fruits , they are considered culinary vegetables , being ingredients of savory meals . Lettuce (" Lactuca sativa ") is an annual plant of the daisy family , Asteraceae . It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable , but sometimes for its stem and seeds . Lettuce is most often used for salads , although it is also seen in other kinds of food , such as soups , sandwiches and wraps ; it can also be grilled . One variety , the ", or asparagus lettuce ( celtuce ), is grown for its stems , which are eaten either raw or cooked . In addition to its main use as a leafy green , it has also gathered religious and medicinal significance over centuries of human consumption . ___MASK98___ and North America originally dominated the market for lettuce , but by the late 20th century the consumption of lettuce had spread throughout the world . World production of lettuce and chicory for calendar year 2013 was 24 . 9 million tonnes , over half of which came from ___MASK92___ . The avocado (" Persea americana ") is a tree that is native to South Central ___MASK70___ , classified as a member of the flowering plant family Lauraceae . Avocado ( also alligator pear ) also refers to the tree ' s fruit , which is botanically a large berry containing a single seed . The chili pepper ( also ___MASK31___ pepper or chilli pepper , from Nahuatl " chlli " ) is the fruit of plants from the genus " Capsicum ", members of the nightshade family , Solanaceae . In ___MASK100___ , Britain , India , Ireland , New Zealand , Pakistan , South Africa and in other Asian countries , it is usually known simply as chilli . A taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn or wheat tortilla folded or rolled around a filling . A taco can be made with a variety of fillings , including beef , pork , chicken , seafood , vegetables , and cheese , allowing for great versatility and variety . A taco is generally eaten without utensils and is often accompanied by garnishes such as salsa or chili pepper , avocado or guacamole , cilantro ( coriander ), tomatoes , onions , and lettuce . Guacamole ( can informally be referred to as " guac " in North America ) is an avocado - based dip or salad first created by the Aztecs in what is now ___MASK70___ . In addition to its use in modern Mexican cuisine , it has also become part of American cuisine as a dip , condiment and salad ingredient . Seafood is any form of sea life regarded as food by humans . Seafood prominently includes fish and shellfish . Shellfish include various species of molluscs , crustaceans , and echinoderms . Historically , sea mammals such as whales and dolphins have been consumed as food , though that happens to a lesser extent in modern times . Edible sea plants , such as some seaweeds and microalgae , are widely eaten as seafood around the world , especially in Asia ( see the ). In North America , although not generally in the ___MASK40___ , the term " seafood " is extended to fresh water organisms eaten by humans , so all edible aquatic life may be referred to as seafood . For the sake of completeness , this article includes all edible aquatic life . A taco salad is a Mexican - inspired dish , with many variations .