Cryptic Buffet

This month's offering is a feast of sorts. Heavy bars and answer lengths are withheld, but if bars were shown they would appear the same with the grid turned 180 degrees. Once all clue answers have been entered, a number of empty squares will remain; these should be circled. Each empty square's missing letter is supplied by an unclued buffet item running through it diagonally (up, down, left, or right); these foods have something in common. By reading the circled portions from left to right, solvers will be able to identify the meal. Eleven clue answers are capitalized; the answers to 35 Across and 16 Down are uncommon.

Click here for last month's Puzzler solution.

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1. Something chewy and cold found in
part of South America

5. Roughly push around irrational
figure lacking in humility

9. Domestic quality about uncle and
dad (two words)

10. Running after Number Twelve

11. Diplomacy took a new direction
in speech

12. Fresh additive for tea

14. Pass over captain of a curling team

15. Hermit keeping guard for a greater
span of time

17. Assist in amusement with last of
sea animals

18. Close northern canal site

20. Excited head of state had a puff
of pot

22. People accustomed to snow in June
ski more

24. Iron out film genre

28. Signed new Nike deal at the outset

29. Bulldogs and boxer in agreement

30. I am a mosque's leader!

32. Brood left in bazaar

33. Hog eating final bit of gift pack

34. Contemptible foundation

35. Turning lid, see large beer mug

36. Evenly distributed name for either
gender

37. Picking up check, a Communist
made a bow

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1. Coaches treating talk-show host

2. Vandal with $1000 is handsome guy

3. Stay in a tent with a Rhode Island
liqueur

4. Oaf going around Italy departed
(two words)

5. Open can plus plastic

6. American author's kitty fine

7. Jones who made designs in one pass

8. Racer walked behind Vietnam War
figure (two words)

13. Nymph that is back in the clutches
of misfit

16. Network running across rare
sea urchins

19. Damp items on crackers

21. Love nuts in rice; it's like a dream

22. After cathedral town, tour French
palace

23. Run through end of link in
underground pipe

25. Regarding medium aged fashion
anew

26. Goodness of a store's second row
pronounced (two words)

27. Out of order, like private dining?

31. A word of wonder for a 1958
Pulitzer winner

Note: The instructions above are for this month's puzzle only. It is assumed that you know how to decipher clues. For a complete introduction to clue-solving, click here.