Crossword Genius

Mostly trim, then cut, root vegetable (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

parsnip

'root vegetable' is the definition.
(I know that parsnip is a type of root vegetable)

'mostly trim then cut' is the wordplay.
'mostly' means to remove the last letter.
'trim' becomes 'pare' (synonyms).
'then' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'cut' becomes 'snip' (snip is a kind of cut).
'pare' with its last letter taken off is 'par'.
'par'+'snip'='PARSNIP'

(Other definitions for parsnip that I've seen before include "Yellow root vegetable" , "Type of root veg" , "Sweet root vegetable" , "food" , "A white root vegetable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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