Cryptic crossword clue
Cook fine, edible root, wanting starter 7

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word FALSIFY

I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
F
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Cook" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cook = falsify.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does FALSIFY mean?

FALSIFY verb
  1. To alter so as to make false; to make incorrect.
  2. To misrepresent.
  3. To prove to be false.
  4. To counterfeit; to forge.
  5. To show (an item of charge inserted in an account) to be wrong.
  6. To baffle or escape.
  7. To violate; to break by falsehood.

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