Sweet thing but thick-skinned for starters (8,5)
I believe the answer is:
honeydew melon
'sweet thing' is the definition.
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for honeydew melon that I've seen before include "Large fruit with sweet green flesh" , "Sweet, fleshy fruit" , "Large smooth fruit with sweet greenish flesh" , "Large yellow fruit" , "Fruit - Eden homely now (anag)" .)