It's ruddy ripe! (6)

I believe the answer is:

tomato

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If this is the answer I cannot explain how the clue works.

(Other definitions for tomato that I've seen before include "A motto turned out to be fruit or veg" , "Salad fruit or berry" , "Type of sauce" , "Love apple (archaic)" , "A glossy red fruit eaten as a vegetable" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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