NEW YORK -- An Independence woman gave President Barack Obama a heart-shaped potato during his appearance on the "Late Show With David Letterman" Monday.

Mary Apple was in the crowd for the taping of the show and had her prized heart-shaped potato with her, just as she had during a trip to New York two years earlier.

According to reports, Letterman made fun of Apple for bringing the potato again, but Obama joked that the potato was the highlight of his appearance on the show.

"The main reason I'm here -- not any of those top ten lists -- I want to see that heart shaped potato," Obama said.

After the comment, Letterman and Obama walked to the front of the stage and asked for Apple to throw him the potato and he showed it to Obama.

"This is remarkable," Obama said. "Thank you. What's your name? Mary? Is your real name Mary Apple? And you carry heart shaped potatoes around? Well, thank you so much for sharing."

Letterman continued with his needling of Apple.

"Mary, I think it would be a nice gift and a great way to put an end to this nonsense if you just gave it to the president. Do you mind?"

"For me?" Obama asked.

Apple nodded in approval at Obama.

"Yes, it's all yours, congratulations," Letterman said.

Obama put the potato into his suit pocket.

"If only the job was this easy," Obama joked.