Does the iMac boot to Ventura now?
Can you get logged in to an account and be in the finder?
Tell us about the SSD.
Is this an external SSD?
If so, does it connect via USB or thunderbolt?
Or... is it an internally-installed SSD?
Tip for erasing the SSD:
If it won't erase to Mac format, then...
...
Try erasing to a "PC format" first.Try exFAT. Does that erase it?
Once you've done that,
do THIS:
Now erase it "back to" a Mac format.
Use APFS, GUID partition format, and BE SURE that it's "case INsensitive".
DON'T use "case sensitive".
Does that work?
If so, then try CCC.
BETTER SUGGESTION:Since you're a PC person (perhaps not well-versed in Mac?), I'll offer another app to try:
SuperDuper.
SD is FREE to use for the job you need.
It's also one of the easiest-to-understand and use apps out there.
You can get it here:
Let us know how you make out.