As eaten by law-breaking eccentrics? (7)

I believe the answer is:

walnuts

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'as eaten by law-breaking eccentrics?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'by law-breaking eccentrics?' is the wordplay.
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'breaking' indicates an anagram.
'eccentrics?' becomes 'nuts' (nut is a kind of eccentric).
'law' with letters rearranged gives 'wal'.
'wal'+'nuts' is 'WALNUTS'.

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I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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