March 21, 2026

Title: VEGGIE SUB (Freestyle)

Constructor: Hannah Slovut-Einertson

Editor: Amie Walker

Theme synopsis:

VEGGIE SUB (Freestyle): There's no theme today, as this is a freestyle, or themeless, puzzle. The title is a nod to MEAT SUBSTITUTE (8D: Tofu or tempeh, for example) and EGG SALAD (56A: Filling for some vegetarian sandwiches).

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• SADIE (18A: "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" star Sandler) You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a 2023 coming-of-age movie co-produced by Adam Sandler. The film is based on  the 2005 young adult novel of the same name by Fiona Rosenblum. Adam Sandler and his wife Jackie Sandler star in the movie, along with their daughters SADIE and Sunny Sandler. Interestingly, SADIE Sandler and Sunny Sandler play sisters in the movie. Their dad (in real life) plays their dad in the movie and Idina Menzel plays their mother. Jackie Sandler (SADIE and Sunny's mom in real life) plays another girl's mother.
• TAPE (20A: Word after word "mix" or "mouth") I'm familiar with a mix TAPE, but I couldn't figure out what mouth TAPE is. Once I looked it up, I realize I have seen it before. It's exactly what it sounds like: TAPE sold for the purpose of taping your mouth shut. It's primarily used in an attempt to stop mouth breathing while sleeping.
• GALAGA (41D: Classic 1980s space shooter game) I was alive in the 1980s. I was in high school in 1981 when the arcade game GALAGA first came out. Apparently I wasn't spending enough time in arcades, however, because I do not remember this game. In GALAGA, the player controls a starship and is tasked with destroying GALAGA forces while avoiding enemies and projectiles. Some people consider GALAGA to be one of the greatest video games of all time. I guess I missed out!

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• FACEPALM (1A: "You've gotta be kidding me" gesture) The FACEPALM emoji is one I use frequently. 🤦🏻‍♀️
• DNA (22A: Double-helix molecule) and GENE (41A: Heredity unit made of 22-Across) Hooray for science in the crossword and for this nice pairing of clues.
• BAG OF BAGS (25A: Plastic sack stash) This is a fun answer. Those plastic BAGS do indeed accumulate (and do they multiply??). It doesn't take long and suddenly you have a BAG OF BAGS.
• MOMO (34A: Steamed dumpling) Many cuisines have some type of dumpling, dough wrapped around a filling and then cooked. A MOMO is a type of steamed dumpling in Tibetan and Nepali cuisine. 
• BOY (36A: "The ___ Is Mine") "The BOY Is Mine" is a 1998 duet by Brandy and Monica. The song was released as the lead single on both singers' second albums: Never Say Never (Brandy) and The BOY Is Mine (Monica). "The BOY Is Mine" is also the name of a 2024 song by POP DIVA Ariana Grande, from her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine. Ariana Grande's song is a reimagining of Brandy and Monica's song. (Brandy and Monica make a cameo appearance in the music video.) 
• JANE FONDA (39A: "Grace and Frankie" star) Grace and Frankie is a Netflix TV series whose seven seasons originally aired from 2015-2022. JANE FONDA (Grace) and Lily Tomlin (Frankie) portray the title characters, two women who become unlikely friends after their husbands divorced them to marry each other.
• SASSAFRAS (42A: Its root was historically used to flavor root beer) SASSAFRAS trees are native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. As the clue informs us, SASSAFRAS roots were historically used as a flavoring for root beer. Some home brewers of root beer still use SASSAFRAS roots for this purpose, but its commercial use has been banned due to health concerns.
• PLATO (47A: Ancient Greek philosopher) When I encounter a clue such as this, I run through the list of ancient Greek philosophers whose names I know. There's PLATO, his teacher, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle. PLATO is the only one that fits...PLATO it is! 
• TIME-LAPSE (49A: Kind of video shot over many sittings) TIME-LAPSE videos are fascinations. Enjoy this classic example: a TIME-LAPSE video of a bean plant growing.
• LYE (7D: Caustic chemical used to make lutefisk) Lutefisk is made by drying and salting cod (or whitefish), and then rehydrating it in a LYE solution. The result is gelatinous in texture. Lutefisk originated from Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland). It is popular in some parts of the United States, where it is often associated with Christmas celebrations.
• NOSE FLUTE (9D: Nostril-blown instrument) A NOSE FLUTE is exactly what it sounds like - an instrument that is played with air blown from the NOSE  instead of the mouth. NOSE FLUTEs carved of bamboo or wood are popular in some places, including Hawaii, the Philippines, and New Zealand. Plastic NOSE FLUTEs or NOSE whistles are sold as children's novelty toys. My husband is quite good at playing the NOSE FLUTE (of the plastic variety) - an interesting talent to have.
• AVA (10D: Palindromic "Hacks" character) Hacks is a TV series that premiered in 2021 on HBO Max. Jean Smart portrays Deborah Vance, a comedy diva needing to reinvent her aging act to remain relevant in Las Vegas. Hannah Einbinder portrays AVA Daniels, a young comedy writer down on her luck, who is sent to work as Deborah's head writer.
• POP DIVA (21D: Mariah Carey or Ariana Grande, e.g.) I thought I'd take this opportunity to highlight the debut singles of these POP DIVAs. Mariah Carey's debut single, "Vision of Love," was released in 1990. It is one of five songs from her eponymous debut album that reached the top of the charts. Ariana Grande's debut single, "Put Your Hearts Up," was released in 2011. 
• HOME ALONE (30D: "I made my family disappear" movie) "I made my family disappear," is a line spoken by Kevin in the classic 1990 movie, "HOME ALONE."
• JARLIC (39D: Portmanteau for shelf-stable minced cloves) JARLIC is a portmanteau of "jar" and "garlic." This is a fun term.
• MEG (50D: "The Princess Diaries" author Cabot) In addition to writing The Princess Diaries, the series of young adult novels on which the movies have been based, MEG Cabot has written over 80 books for a range of audiences - children, young adults, and adults. The bio on her website offers the helpful information that "her last name rhymes with habit, as in 'her books can be habit forming.'" I'm a MEG Cabot fan, so was happy to see her in the puzzle.
• SIA (51D: "Where We Once Belonged" author Figiel) I wrote about Samoan novelist and poet SIA Figiel a couple of times in 2023. Her 1996 debut novel, Where We Once Belonged, tells the story of Samoan village life. When I looked up SIA Figiel today, I discovered that since I last wrote about her some things have changed. SIA Figiel died in prison in January of this year, while awaiting the outcome of a trial related to the death of a fellow writer. I won't go into all the details here, but here's a link if you'd like to learn more.

I like the fact that the word "SUB" in the title could be meaning "substitute" in reference to MEAT ALTERNATIVE," and then could be meaning "SUB sandwich" in reference to EGG SALAD. There are a plethora of fun answers here. I had trouble deciding which ones to highlight. That's a good problem to have! Thank you, Hannah, for this enjoyable puzzle.

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