Crossword Genius

Eggs containing key salad ingredient (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

romaine

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

'salad ingredient' is the definition.
The answer and definition 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?

'eggs containing key' is the wordplay.
'eggs' becomes 'roe' (I've seen this before).
'containing' is an insertion indicator.
'key' becomes 'main' (I've seen this in other clues**).
'roe' placed around 'main' is 'ROMAINE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for romaine that I've seen before include "Type of lettuce - I arm one (anag)" , "Cos lettuce" , "Variety of lettuce" , "lettuce in America" , "lettuce in the US" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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