A cheesy individual in a waxed jacket, James shelled soy beans (7)

I believe the answer is:

edamame

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'a cheesy individual' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Another definition for edamame that I've seen is " type of bean".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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