If you missed Wednesday’s NYT Mini, you can find the answers here:

ForbesToday’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues and Solutions for Wednesday December 4thFrom Paul Tassi

The NYT Mini is a quick and dirty version of the newspaper’s larger and long-running crossword puzzle. Most days there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five-by-five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.

In contrast to its bigger brother, the NYT Mini Crosswords are free to play on the New York Times website or the NYT Games app. However, you will need a NYT Games subscription to access previous puzzles in the archives.

The NYT Mini is a fun daily distraction that usually takes no time at all. I’m trying to beat the standard weekday grid in under a minute. But sometimes I can’t quite figure out a clue or two and have to give away the answer.

To help you avoid this, here is the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle solutions (Of course, there are spoilers ahead):

NYT Mini Crossword Clues and Solutions

ABOVE

1) Cracking muscles, informal – ABS

4 Bring in at harvest time – REAPS

7 homophone for a winter vegetable – CARAT

8 Ask someone to say, “Take a photo – it will last longer!” – STARING

9 Freshly minted – NEW

DOWN

1) Shapes of Rainbows – ARCS

2) Homophone for a winter vegetable – BEAT

3) Kitchen Paper Brand – SARAN

5) Homophone for a winter fruit – PARE

6) Warm, hearty winter dish – STEW

Okay, um, there are a lot of clues today about winter food, including three linked clues about homophones associated with this concept. I have to be honest, I have no idea what a winter fruit or vegetable is supposed to be. As if they only grow in winter? Do you only eat them in winter? I have no idea, so of course it was a bit difficult. There were no clues like Starre, Arcs and Saran.

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