Official State Vegetables

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Unbelievably, some insensitive hacks have written humorous news stories trivializing the importance of the selection of state vegetables. Worse, some state legislatures have treated the topic with such levity as to bring discredit and dishonor to innocent vegetables. Reportedly, what two non-vegetables did the Pennsylvania legislature propose to receive Official State Vegetable Status? A member of the legislature and a fungus Broccoli and cauliflower A beet and a turnip Carrots and celery

2. As this quiz will expose the fact that some states seem to take a very liberal stance on what can be considered a vegetable. What non-vegetable, non plant eventually became the official state vegetable of Pennsylvania? The mushroom Rutabaga Lettuce Sweet potato

3. Perhaps you're starting to think there's something a little wrong with a person who seems to get so worked up about state vegetables? Don't try to deny it! Don't you think I can hear you thinking out there? Well, rival commercial interests certainly took the choice of the official Utah state vegetable seriously, engaging in intensive lobbying and the making public statements. Which two roughly spherical, edible plant products fought for the distinction? The noble beet and the Spanish onion The wonderful watermelon and Belize bananas The illustrious carrot and Canary Island corn The rebellious rutabaga and Burmese broccoli

4. After intense lobbying efforts by their respective industries, which of the two candidates for state vegetable did the Utah legislature choose? The Spanish onion Belize bananas Canary Island corn Burmese broccoli

5. Onions are a popular choice for official state vegetables. Interestingly, the first state to pick an onion as its vegetable was the first of the three "onion states" admitted to the union. Which state would that be? Hawaii None of these Georgia Alaska

6. Sad to say, we're not quite done with onions yet. According to the LookSmart website, the sweet onion "has roots going back to the Canary Islands." Maybe the "tall tale" image of onions with roots thousands of miles long influenced a state given to bragging, particularly about size. What large state in the Southwest picked the sweet onion as its official state vegetable? Answer: (Get along little doggie)

7. If you were a legislator would you pick a plant knowing that its status as a vegetable was questionable? Would that not be inviting bitter controversy? (Don't you find rhetorical questions annoying?) What almost red thing, considered by many to be a fruit not a vegetable, did the state of Arkansas chose as its state vegetable? Northern Arizona red pepper Western New York red apple Eastern Missouri red squash South Arkansas vine ripe pink tomato

8. Sadly, it is possible that money rather than principle guides the selection of state vegetables in some cases. New Mexico could be a case in point. What two near-vegetables are the official state vegetables for New Mexico? (Think Mexican Food) Corn and tomatoes beans and chili peppers Spinach and broccoli Leeks and onions

9. In my opinion, Idaho should be given high marks for their selection of a state vegetable. They went with the popular; they went with the obvious; they went with a vegetable that may have ruined the career of a politician when he tried to spell it; they went with the ____________. Answer: (no "e" on the end)

10. When dinosaurs roamed ancient America, scientists inform us, they may have eaten a vegetable native and indigenous to these United States. North Carolina and Louisiana have seen fit to choose this delectable, orange-fleshed tuber, packed with vitamin A as their official state vegetable. What is the name of this Thanksgiving treat often served with marshmallows? Corn The sweet potato Maize Tomato