ごぼう (Gobou) is related to the artichoke

Gobou (known as burdock in the west) is a root vegetable found all over the world but only eaten in Japan and other Asian countries. Maybe it's the unappealing twig-like appearance that turns people off (E didn't want to touch it with a 10-foot pole for a looong time) but when you peel away the dirt there's a delicious whitish-grey flesh underneath. It is also high-fiber and low-calorie, and is often eaten with macrobiotic diets.

E made きんぴら (kinpira) using this recipe...but she went a little too happy on the spices and now our mouths are on fire.



In conclusion, E would make out with a gobou, but then Y would be jealous. :o