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Tataki gobo
Sesame burdock salad
Tataki gobō (たたきごぼう): pounded burdock in sesame vinegar, a Kansai New Year side
In Kansai homes around Osaka and Kyoto, osechi always includes tataki gobo: burdock root boiled, then beaten with a rolling pin so it splits open, and dressed in a thick ground-sesame vinegar. The long, deep-rooted burdock stands for a family that is settled and lasting. The pounding gives rough, fibrous edges that soak up the nutty, tangy dressing, so each bite is earthy, sweet and sharp. The common mistake is overcooking the burdock until soft; it should still be pleasantly firm before you pound it. Chef's tip: dress the burdock while it is still warm, when the fibres open up and drink in the sesame vinegar.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 7 oz burdock root (gobō)scrubbed
- 1 tbsp rice vinegarfor the boiling water
For the sesame vinegar
- 4 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Cut 7 oz burdock root (gobō) into 5 cm lengths; halve any thick pieces lengthways. Soak in water for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Boil the burdock in water with 1 tbsp rice vinegar for 6–8 minutes, until a skewer goes in with slight resistance. The vinegar keeps it pale.
8 minStep 3: Drain, lay on a board and beat each piece with a rolling pin until it splits and cracks along its length. Tear into thinner sticks.
Step 4: Grind 4 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds in a mortar until fragrant and half-pasty, then mix in 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 ½ tbsp sugar and 1 tbsp soy sauce.
Step 5: Toss the warm burdock in the dressing and leave for at least 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature; it keeps for 4 days in the fridge.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 13 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tataki gobo take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of rice vinegar?
- Cider vinegar with a pinch of sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of toasted white sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
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