The New York Times Crossword

Puzzling start? Like some rum Where catalysts produce reactions, informally “Sounds good, but … huh-uh” Root vegetable with stringy stalks Offset

B preceder Painter’s protectors Blogroll assortment Pretense

Roll

Show of authority, metaphorically Apple ___ After beginning? Like Gen-Z fans of classic rock, seemingly Things often controlled with remotes Guaranteed success

The Rolling Stones’ “___ a Rainbow” Ride, in a way Some sneaks Quaint confirmation 42 44 45 48

49 50 52 53

54 55 1 2 3 4

5

6 7 8 9 10

Scientist for whom a part of the brain is named Skimpy

With sauce Swenson of “Benson” Fresh start Gets a late start? “Get out of here!” Birthplace of the Black Panther Party

Bad things for a lecturer to hear “There’s no wrong way to eat a ___” (classic tagline)

DOWN

Buttonhole Parisian sweets? Get it

Parts of many breakfast buffets Pick for pics, in brief Hypothesized Harmonizes Key partner?

“I, ___,” Shakespeareinspired novel written from the villain’s perspective Some customer service agents nowadays 11 12 14

17 21

23 28 30 31 32

Gush

“___ matter” Rudely interrupting Offsets Common condiment with fajitas Support against collapse, with “up” Something past or present W.W. II Dambusters grp. “That’s a good one!” Butcher shop choices 33 34

35 38 39 40

42 43

46

47 51

Question asked by a surprise caller Try to persuade through lies Smarts Home of the continental United States’ geographic center Road runner? Foul ball’s place, maybe Finger

Día de los ___ (Spanish holiday) What someone with anosmia cannot detect Vintage, e.g. Just get (by)

Answers to yesterday’s puzzle