March 13, 2026

Title: CANDY DISH

Constructor: Tom Pepper & Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

• CHICKEN YAKITORI (16A: Dish of grilled bites served on skewers)
• COCONUT YOGURT (35A: Fermented, dairy-free product with probiotics)
• CHINESE YAM (58A: Climbing vine with tubers that can be eaten raw)

CANDY DISH: All three theme answers are DISHes whose first word begins with C and second word begins with Y.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• CHICKEN YAKITORI (16A: Dish of grilled bites served on skewers) In Japanese cuisine, CHICKEN YAKITORI is skewered CHICKEN grilled over a charcoal fire. During or after cooking the skewers are typically glazed with tare sauce (a sweetened, thickened soy sauce).
• STORE (28A: Five Below or Daiso) Five Below is a chain of discount gift shops founded in Pennsylvania in 2002. The majority of the items in the STOREs are priced at or below $5. Daiso is a franchise of Japanese 100-yen shops, similar to dollar STOREs found in the U.S.
• ARES (30A: Greek war god) and SON (28D: 30-Across, to Zeus) ARES is the Greek god of courage and war. He is the SON of Zeus (god of the sky and thunder and King of the Gods) and Hera (goddess of women and Queen of the Gods). 
• IGOR (31A: Composer Stravinsky) IGOR Stravinsky (1882-1971) was a Russian composer and conductor. He is considered an influential composer of the 20th century. His 1913 work, The Rite of Spring is a ballet and orchestral piece, that was considered avant-garde at the time, and redefined 20th-century music.
• PATROL (49A: TV title word after "PAW" or "Doom") PAW PATROL is an animated children's TV series about a crew of search and rescue dogs. Doom PATROL is a TV series based on a DC Comics superhero team.
• CHINESE YAM (58A: Climbing vine with tubers that can be eaten raw) Unlike other YAMs, CHINESE YAMs – as the clue informs us – can be eaten raw. The CHINESE YAM vine is native to East Asia. It was introduced in the U.S. in the 19th century and is now considered an invasive species. 
• BAKE (64A: Make brookies, for example) Brookies are a dessert that combines brownies and chocolate chip cookies.
• STEW (67A: Gumbo or nikujaga) Gumbo is a STEW that originated in Louisiana. It is made of meat or shellfish along with celery, bell peppers, and onions. Nikujaga is a STEW of Japanese origin, consisting of meat, potatoes, and onion, flavored with soy sauce and mirin.
• SOULS (68A: All ___ Day (Nov. 2)) All SOULS' Day is a day of prayer and remembrance for those that have died. It is the last of the three-day Christian celebration that includes All Hallow's Eve (Oct. 31), and All Saints' Day (Nov. 1).
• ARIANA (3D: "Wicked: For Good" star Grande) ARIANA portrays Glinda in the musical films Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good  (2025).
• BBC (4D: "Fleabag" network) Fleabag is a BBC TV series that was adapted from a one-woman show by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The show centers on the title character, Fleabag – portrayed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge – a free-spirited single young woman living in London. 
• LEO (14D: Name of the current pope) Pope LEO XIV (that's 14th in case your Roman numerals are rusty) is the current Bishop of Rome and the head of the Catholic Church. He became the pope on May 8 of last year. Pope LEO XIV was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is the first U.S.-born pope. LEO is making back-to-back crossword appearances. We saw LEO yesterday clued as [Astrological sign with the shortest name].
• GOD MODE (32D: Video game cheat code that grants invincibility) It's tempting to think, "I wish life came with a cheat code that granted invincibility." However, upon reflection it's probably best that GOD MODE is confined to video games.
• RHAPSODY (39D: Gershwin's "___ in Blue") George Gershwin (1898-1937) was a composer and pianist. He wrote RHAPSODY in Blue in 1924 for solo piano and jazz band. 
• TITO (40D: Jazz musician Puente) TITO Puente (1923-2000) was a musician, songwriter, bandleader, and record producer known for Latin jazz and dance-oriented mambo compositions. One of his nicknames was "el Rey del Timbal" which means "the King of the Timbales." TITO Puente's most famous song is "Oye Como Va."
• TAP (41D: Dance like Gregory Hines) Gregory Hines (1946-2003) was a dancer, actor, choreographer, and singer. He is one of the most-celebrated TAP dancers of all time. His 1989 TV special, TAP Dance in America, won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program. Enjoy this video of Gregory Hines TAP dancing with himself.
• CBS (58D: "60 Minutes" network) Mentions of the CBS news show 60 Minutes remind me of my dad. He rarely missed it and in my mind I can see and hear the large stopwatch that ticks between segments. 60 Minutes first aired in 1968.
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
• POW (53A: Comic book sound effect similar to "BAM!")
• NOISES (12D: Snap, crackle and pop, e.g.)
• AGE (62D: "Just a number" number)

The key to understanding today's theme is to read the title as C AND Y DISH instead of CANDY DISH. It took me a little bit to catch on to the theme, which meant I had a nice "Aha!" moment when it clicked. Thank you, Tom and Zhouqin, for this enjoyable puzzle.