Crossword Genius

Ribbons cut, if teen needs curls on top to braid (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fettuccine

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

'braid' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how they can define each other.

'ribbons cut if teen needs curls on top' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'cut' is 'tuc' which is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for fettuccine that I've seen is " Pasta made in ribbons".)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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