Lotus Root

I think I need a "what to do now that you've purchased a whole lotus root" tutorial. Sure, I could google it, but why not go to the master? ^_^ I've never had lotus root, so I've certainly never cooked with it or prepared it. I just bought one at the market (it was two sections, one fat one and one that tapers at the end). To put this into context, I want to make Maki's recent root veg & tofu stew.