National Pumpkin Day.

0:03 Caloroga Shark Media. Five daily trivia questions powered by AI. Hi, I'm Mark Ellison. Today's theme is National Pumpkin Day. Pumpkins, autumn traditions, harvest festivals, seasonal foods, and surprising squash facts. Question one. Before pumpkins became the go-to in America, which humble root vegetable did people in Ireland and Scotland traditionally carve into jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween? Question 2. In botanical terms, what is the specific name for the type of fruit produced by pumpkins and other hard-rinded squashes characterized by a thick rind and fleshy interior? Question 3. Which U.S. state, home to the town of Morton nicknamed the Pumpkin Capital of the World, produces the majority of pumpkins grown for canning and processing? Question 4. Despite the name, most pumpkin spice blends are made entirely of warm baking spices. What common ingredient is famously not part of the blend? Question 5.

1:25 In Mexican Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos traditions, what is the name of the candied pumpkin simmered with piloncillo, cinnamon, and orange that appears on family altars and tables? We'll be right back with these answers after this break. Welcome back. Question one. What did Irish and Scottish jack-o'-lanterns use before pumpkins? Answer, turnips. The jack-o'-lantern tradition began in the British Isles, where people carved faces into turnips and sometimes mangle-wurzels. Irish immigrants in North America switched to pumpkins because they were larger, softer, and more plentiful. Question 2. What is the botanical fruit type of a pumpkin? Answer. Papo. A papo is a modified berry typical of the gourd family. Cucurbitaceae. Including pumpkins, cucumbers, and melons. Its tough outer rind and many seeds are hallmark features. Question 3. Which state leads U.S. processing pumpkins?

2:31 Home to Morton. Answer. Illinois. Central Illinois grows vast fields of processing pumpkins... and Libby's Plant & Morton cans much of the nation's pumpkin puree. As a result, Illinois routinely leads the country in pumpkins for processing. Question 4. What ingredient is missing from most pumpkin spice blends? Answer. Pumpkin. Pumpkin spice typically mixes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. No actual pumpkin. The spices evoke pumpkin pie, where pumpkin contributes texture and mild flavor. Question 5. Name the Mexican Dia de los Muertos candied pumpkin dish. Answer. Calabaza Intacha.

3:16 Calabaza Intacha is a classic autumn dessert made by slowly cooking pumpkin or squash in unrefined cane sugar syrup with spices. It's closely associated with Dia de los Muertos offerings and fall harvest flavors. That concludes today's five daily trivia questions. I'm Mark Ellison, and today's questions were crafted with the help of AI technology. See you tomorrow!