Crossword Genius

It is put into Italian food (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

passata

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

'it is put into italian food' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'it is put into italian food' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes 'sa' (old-fashioned abbreviation for sex appeal).
'is put into' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'italian food' becomes 'pasta' (type of Italian food).
'sa' inserted into 'pasta' is 'PASSATA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for passata that I've seen before include "Sieved tomato puree" , "Tomato sauce" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app