Crossword Genius

In Italy, dear, the meal wouldn't have a sweet (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caramel

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

'a sweet' is the definition.
(I know that caramel is a type of sweet)

'in italy dear the meal wouldn't' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'meal' is 'amel' which is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'car' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'have' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caramel that I've seen before include "Soft toffee" , "Chewy sweet - burnt sugar" , "Sugar solution heated till brown" , "Chew candy" , "It's produced by heating sugar until brown" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app