Misc: "Gherkins" are a type of ______?

Questions

contrary to popular belief, there are almost no buddhists in---------- , nor have there been for about a thousand years?

husbands and wives in india who desire children whisper their wish to the ear of a ---------- cow?

a bolt of lighting can strike the earth with a force as great as ---------- volts?

a ---------- is the blue field behind the stars?

a canton is the ---------- field behind the stars?