Pungent, round deli order - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a classic example of a descriptive clue that paints a clear picture of the answer. By combining a few well-chosen adjectives with a specific setting, the puzzle guides the solver directly to a common food item. It's a satisfying solve that relies on everyday knowledge rather than obscure trivia or complex wordplay.

Clue Analysis

The clue, "Pungent, round deli order," can be broken down into three distinct parts:

• "Pungent": This adjective describes a strong, sharp taste or smell. In the culinary world, this often points to ingredients like garlic, horseradish, certain cheeses, or, in this case, onions.
• "round": This describes the physical shape of the item. While many foods are round, this clue narrows the field considerably when combined with the other parts.
• "deli order": This provides the crucial context. We are looking for something one would typically order at a delicatessen. This immediately brings to mind items like sandwiches, pickles, soups, and bagels.

By putting these pieces together, the clue asks for a round food item from a deli that has a strong, sharp flavor.

Thinking Approaches

A solver might arrive at the answer through a few logical steps:

1. Start with the Context: The phrase "deli order" is the most powerful part of the clue. A solver's mind will likely generate a list of deli staples: pastrami on rye, matzo ball soup, lox, cream cheese, and bagels.
2. Apply the Shape: Next, applying the adjective "round" to that list quickly eliminates sandwiches (typically square) and soups. A bagel is a prime candidate.
3. Specify with Flavor: Finally, the word "pungent" helps specify the type of bagel. While many bagels have toppings, an onion-topped one is distinctly pungent. This combination of logic leads directly to the answer.
4. Confirm with Crossings: As always, if you're partially sure, filling in a few crossing letters can confirm your hypothesis. Seeing an 'O' at the start or an 'L' at the end would be a strong confirmation.

Background Context

The answer is a staple of American delicatessens, particularly those with roots in Jewish-American culture. The bagel itself was brought to the United States by Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Poland. Originally a simple, plain bread, it evolved to include various toppings like poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and, of course, bits of dehydrated onion. The onion bagel, with its savory and pungent flavor, is a classic choice for sandwiches, especially with lox and cream cheese.

Conclusion

This clue is a well-crafted, straightforward puzzle. It effectively uses descriptive language to define a compound answer. By breaking the clue down into its component parts - flavor, shape, and location - a solver can methodically deduce the correct entry. It's a perfect example of how a clue can be both simple and elegant.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a common breakfast or lunch item often found at a delicatessen.
2. Hint 2: The item is a type of bread, often served with cream cheese or as part of a sandwich.
3. Hint 3: The 'pungent' part of the clue refers to a specific, strong-smelling vegetable used as a topping or flavoring.
4. Hint 4: It's a specific flavor of a ring-shaped bread roll.

The answer is ONIONBAGEL.