Whether you call it gobo root or burdock, it’s not the easiest vegetable to find. If you have managed to find some, what is the best way to go about storing it?
Can You Freeze Gobo Root?
Yes, you can freeze gobo root for up to 3 months. Wash the root well before slicing it into fine strips. Then, wash these slices to remove any lye, pat dry, and pack into a freezer bag before sealing it tightly and freezing.
Do Does Gobo Root freeze well? Yes
Can you refreeze Gobo Root? Yes
How to Freeze Gobo Root
The method for freezing gobo root isn’t dissimilar to the one we find works well for most other root vegetables. There are a few important steps to take that makes freezing gobo root (or burdock) a little different:
- Wash Root: Thoroughly wash the root under running water to remove any detritus or contaminants. Itās a pretty bad idea to introduce unsafe contaminants to your freezer, so wash thoroughly.
- Julienne: Slice the root into flat slices, and then slice those slices longways to make french fry shapes. This will allow the gobo root to freeze consistently throughout your batch.
- Wash and Bag Up: Gobo root can produce a small amount of lye as you work with it. Wash this off under running water, and then thoroughly wash your hands. Pat the root dry with paper towels, and pack the thin slices into a freezer bag.
- Freeze: Transfer the whole bag into the freezer once the bag is sealed. Freeze the root at the centre of the freezer for up to 3 months.
3 Tips for Freezing Gobo Root
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing gobo root to have the best results:
Wash Thoroughly
Wash the root thoroughly before you get started. Root veg can be among the dirtiest produce we buy, so cleaning the root well should ensure that the root doesnāt contaminate anything in your freezer.Ā
Wear Gloves
Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin since the gobo root can produce lye during the chopping process. This will ensure that you can continue to cook without taking a break for your hands.Ā
Slice in an Alternative Way
You donāt have to slice the root in a julienne style; any fairly small size will work fine. The only thing that you need to be sure of is that the pieces should be the same size throughout the batch – that will ensure they freeze consistently.
How Long Can You Freeze Gobo Root?
You can freeze gobo root for around 3 months before it deteriorates.
The best way to ensure you get this time is to ensure that your slices are of even size – this will mean there are no small slices that would spoil more quickly.
Once cleaned, gobo root will keep for around a week in the fridge. If it has been sliced or prepared, it will only last for around 24 hours, however.
How Do You Defrost Gobo Root?
You can defrost gobo root in a few ways, but slowly defrosting it can cause the gobo to lose some texture, resulting in mushy gobo.
Therefore, the best way to thaw gobo root is to add it to a hot pan directly from the freezer. This will let it thaw quickly and begin cooking right away.
Can You Refreeze Gobo Root?
Yes, you can refreeze gobo root.
However, just because it’s safe to do doesn’t mean you should do so… As with most root veggies, their fibrous nature will slowly degrade as it sits in the freezer repeatedly. To be sure that the gobo root maintains itself well, avoid refreezing.
Does Gobo Root Freeze Well?
Yes, gobo root does freeze well!
The main reason for this is all the fibre that is within it. The same thing that gives the root its texture is what provides the root with its ability to withstand being frozen.
Related FAQs
If youāve still got questions about freezing gobo root or gobo in general, then these may help:
Yes, braised gobo can be frozen, once cooled, in Tupperware containers or bags with a tight seal for around 2 months.
Sources
We have verified the information on this page using the following resources:
