Starchy tuber — part of many a meal (3)

I believe the answer is:

yam

'starchy tuber' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'part of many a meal' is the wordplay.
'part of' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'YAM' is hidden in the letters of 'many a meal'.

(Other definitions for yam that I've seen before include "Edible root" , "Potato-like vegetable" , "US sweet potato" , "Tropical root vegetable" , "Tropical tuber" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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