Crossword Genius

Unsavoury -- like an apple core? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

seedy

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'unsavoury' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'like an apple core?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'like' could be 'y' (similar in meaning) and 'y' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'seed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for seedy that I've seen before include "under the weather" , "Sordid and disreputable" , "Sordid, squalid" , "Unfit" , "Scruffy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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