Scooby says, "Don't fear the Reapepper" when he and Shaggy are trying hot sauces. "Don't Fear the Reaper" is the name of a song by Blue Oyster Cult.
Daphne's quirk in this episode is behaving like a New Orleans vampire.
This episode has a few aspects in common with the Scooby Doo movie Zombie Island including the pepper ranch, the location of both New Orleans and a plantation in the swamp, and the reclusive swamp man.