EAT MY WORDS
Credit: LA Times Crossword - Feb 1, 2009
Robert H. Wolfe (#1-7)

The answers to the clues below will be familiar phrases with altered spelling. Each answer will contain the name of a fruit, vegetable, or  herb:

1. Plodding way to get to Asia
2. Free a plant used in soups
3. Herb's organic processes
4. Mushroom stem
5. Jack Kerouac and his veggies
6. Herb from the distant past
7. Go off as couples
8. Grace introduction
9. One who is completely indifferent

Answers:

1. SLOE boat to China 
2. Spring a LEEK
3. BASIL metabolism
4. MOREL support
5. BEET Generation
6. THYME immemorial
7. PEAR off 
8. LETTUCE pray 
9. He doesn't CARROT all