Root of Pumpkin

The name 'Pumpkin' allegedly stems from the greek work pepon (πέπων), meaning “large melon".
In french it was called "pompon". The Brits changed that to "Pumpion", and finally the colonial Americans brought us the word used today: Pumpkin.

Sure it's a Porcini?

The "Knollenblaetterpilz" is a variety of mushroom in central western Europe that looks like Porcini, but unfortunately is highly poisonous - mushroom collectors: Beware!

Spaghetti Carbonara

what's the origin of Spaghetti Carbonara? There are about 50 versions of 10 stories. i dont know which one is actual "fact", but like the following:
The meal was invented in 1944 after the allied forces entered Rome. Supposedly there was a blend of the Italian ingredients (Spaghetti & parmesan/ pecorino) running very low, with some snagged American rations (bacon and eggs... well egg powder but we'll oversee that).
Et voila - Carbonara!

General Tsao, via NYC

The first known mention of the infamous General Tsao's chicken is traced back to the New York Times in 1977. Two New York chinese restaurants claim to be the dish's inventors - Peng's restaurant and Shun Lee palace (co-incidentally the location of the author's first meal in the US).

Tomatoes

The italian word for Tomato, Pomodoro, literally means "Apple of Gold".
Why you wonder? because the first tomatoes that were brought to Europe were yellow/ gold in colour and thus dubbed "golden apples".

Banana fact

The Banana Plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant; not a tree. Its sap is so sticky - it can be used as glue.

Lady Godiva

Lady Godiva was the wife of the Earl of Mercia in the 1000s. Legend has it she rode naked on her horse through the village of Coventry in exchange for her husbands promise to cut taxes. Talk about public service. It is tbd how her name became associated with once grand chocolate.