Periphery of Sicily, such as a beach (5)

I believe the answer is:

sandy

'as a beach' is the definition.
(beaches are sandy)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for sandy that I've seen before include "Yellowish-brown; name" , "Alexander (shortened)" , "- - Lyle (golf)" , "Like many beaches" , "Like a beach perhaps" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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