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Christmas meal from heartless old jailer (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

turkey

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'christmas meal' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both things that one consumes for nourishment as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'heartless old jailer' is the wordplay.
'heartless' means to remove the middle letters.
'old jailer' becomes 'turnkey' (historical term for a jailer).
'turnkey' with its centre taken out is 'TURKEY'.

'from' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for turkey that I've seen before include "See 12" , "Eurasian republic" , "Country - fowl" , "Country - theatrical failure" , "Christmas bird or theatrical flop" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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