Lentils have been cultivated for thousands of years and are believed to have originated in the Near East. They were a dietary staple in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, valued for their high protein content and ability to grow in a variety of climates. Tomatoes, on the other hand, are native to South America and were introduced to Europe and the rest of the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 16th century.