Get ready to eat (5)

I believe the answer is:

ripen

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'get ready to eat?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'ready to eat?' is the wordplay.
'ready' becomes 'ripe' (similar in meaning).
'to eat?' becomes 'n' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'ripe'+'n'='RIPEN'

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(Other definitions for ripen that I've seen before include "Become ready to pick" , "Grow mature like fruit" , "Become ready for harvesting" , "Mature, develop" , "Get ready to open" .)

I've seen this clue in the LA Times and the Evening Standard.

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