Experiments with local produce - Part I

Now, I consider myself to be a reasonably accomplished cook with a decent understanding of a variety of cuisines. Before I came to Korea, I figured I'd have no problem navigating local grocery stores. Was I ever wrong - particulary in the realm of vegetables! My first visit to a small grocery store, I recognized almost nothing. Since that first shock, I've made it my goal to learn as much as possible about local produce. My latest success concerns what appears to be a stick:

In Korean it's 'u-eong' (우엉) which apparently is burdock root in English. Who knew. Turns out if you slice it up and cook it in a sweetened soy-sauce mixture, it's pretty tasty.