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CLUELESS 588

Welcome to Clueless, our informal weekly clue setting competition. The idea is to compose a cryptic clue to a given word or phrase.

The winner of the previous week's competition both sets the word to be clued and judges the entries for the current week. The judge's decision is final and reasons may or may not be given at the judge's discretion. It is customary for the judge to donate a virtual prize to the winner.

Multiple entries may be submitted and new competitors are particularly welcome. Feel free to give an explanation if you think it might help.

Clues should be submitted by 8:00 pm (UK time) on Wednesday July 20th.

This week's challenge (because it’s hot) is:

JALAPEÑO (8)

Have fun! 🌶

Hot stuff setter loses first round to gangster and goon (8)

I had an inkling this may start with a "J" ...

Bizarre Japan aloe (not a hot one!) (8)

Possible cause of rising temperature as denuded major planet runs out of time (8)

Hot pepper renders Joan pale. (8)

A plan Joe might have cooked up? (8)

Aja, Eno LP? No, hot stuff! (8)

It was a Steely Dan LP.

Swedish, yes. What’s below the belt only half enough; it hangs down a few inches long (8)

Anthony Kiedis maybe is one? (8)

He is a Red Hot Chilli Pepper after all.

Jono loses one love but then has a fling with a pale spicy type (8)

Apologies jono, but I thought this clue had more merit than simply 'Jon' who may have had a fling.