Little container of unpleasant salad abruptly discarded (6)

I believe the answer is:

punnet

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'little container' is the definition.
'punnet' can be an answer for 'container' (punnet is a kind of container). I'm not sure about the 'little' bit.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for punnet that I've seen before include "Source of fruit" , "Strawberry basket" , "Small basket for berries" , "Shallow fruit basket" , "Small light basket, for strawberries say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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