Merl Reagle, March 15

This puzzle is another corny one, pun intended. Reagle often uses puns for his themed answers; this one is all about vegetables.

I’m not a huge pun fan, and sometimes I feel like his are forced. But most of these are OK; a couple even made me smile (21 Across: “Answer me! Was it creamed or boiled?” Answer: THE SPINACH INQUISITION).

The “Veggie plea?” of 51 Across (GIVE PEAS A CHANCE) is borderline tired; it made me think of that faux hippie bumper sticker, “Visualize Whirled Peas.”

Questions or comments? Twitter me @crosswordkathy