Mouthwatering starter’s gone off, can be returned … (9)
I believe the answer is:
electable
'mouthwatering' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'starter's gone off can be returned' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'can' could be 'able' (I've seen this before) and 'able' is present in the answer.
'starter' could be 'l' (as in a learner driver with L-plates on their car) and 'l' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for electable that I've seen before include "might be put in office" , "Likely to attract votes" .)