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Lovely puzzle, not easy but easy enough for this bear of little brain!

Very much enjoyed this. Thanks, Serpent.

My grid is nearly full of clued entries - I'm missing the middle across block - 6,3,3,6 - and the Peculiar.... and Rubbish... down answers. Tips for the latter two would be appreciated.

I have 22 of the 29 extra letters, and I'm not making much sense, apart from the first word. Is there a rather technical term at the end?

Thanks

For the Peculiar clue, the definition is two of the first three words, the wordplay is 1,4.
For the Rubbish clue, definition is first word and the answer is one letter substituted in a five-letter word.

The middle block surrounds an unclued entry. 6, 3 on the same line and 3, 6 on another.
Peculiar - definition is the first and third letters. The “a” is in English but the city name is in a foreign language.
Rubbish - I thought this one of the weaker clues. Replace an M with an O but the US gang member is a bit of a stretch.
The last word of the phrase is not technical.
When you get to the end there is a trap for the unwary in one of the unclued entries. Be careful with the unches.

Sorry - meant first and third words.

Also I withdraw my comment about the US gang members. I checked again and found I had missed the further definition.

I have a full grid, but simply cannot parse the "pungent paste" clue. Could someone please educate me?

Gitto, it's 3-letter 'constituted' and a phrase meaning 'some' cut short.

Thanks Ozzy.