Taking time, opted to make it preserved like shrimp? (6)
I believe the answer is:
potted
'preserved like shrimp?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are past participle verbs, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'taking time opted to make it' is the wordplay.
'taking' is an insertion indicator.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'to make it' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'opted' with letters rearranged gives 'poted'.
't' put into 'poted' is 'POTTED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for potted that I've seen before include "Abridged, like TD poet" , "Abridged, or planted in small container" , "Condensed or summarised, like plant in container" , "Sank (a snooker ball)" , "Sort of history" .)