What’s That Vegetable? Mangles
by Mary Brennan Quade
Here is a Tilth riddle for you. Question: What is beautifully colored with swirls of dark pink and snowy white, can appear to be smaller than it is, and has long, green hair in the summer? Answer: Why, it is a variety of the lowly beet, called the mangel.
History shows evidence of mangels being used by the Greeks as early as 500 BCE, although they may have originated in the Middle East and travelled via the Silk Road. The Romans carried them north in trade and to feed their stock all over Europe, including the far north. Mangels were grown extensively throughout Europe because they are fantastic fodder for livestock, including poultry, and can be stored well if kept dry.
The plant is completely palatable for humans as well, and the thick, medium-green leaves that grow above ground in early to late summer are delicious as well as nourishing. These giants possess a high sugar ratio, and even in drought periods can produce large, nutritive crops.
In the 1800s, they were introduced to America and rapidly gained a huge following. They were even carried by wagon trains because their storage qualities made them good for the journey. As farming became more automated, they fell from favor, but some smaller operations still grew them.
We experimented growing mangels last year and were incredibly pleased with the outcome. We used Baker Creek Mammoth Red Mangel Seeds, which germinated at a good rate. There are several other colors as well. We sowed directly into compost-lined rows, and side-dressed with lime to deter burrowing insects later in the season.
Germination requires a 50-degree soil temperature. As summer progressed, we noticed that below the soil surface, huge beets were forming. In fact, they are so large that by September they were emerging about two to eight inches above ground with tops up to seven inches in diameter. By November, the greens were gone, as we had allowed the chickens and ducks to feast often, along with the humans. We lightly mulched and left them to overwinter and are still harvesting them as of March 3. We find they are quite juicy even now.
Apparently mangels are being
rediscovered and it does make a great deal of sense to find animal feeds we can grow to supplement grain use. Our grandparents used these in a big way, along with foraging and cracked corn because feed as we know it today was not as available and would have been too costly.
To prepare them for the hens, we simply dug them up, knocked or rinsed off the dirt clods, and cut slices or chunks before serving. It was fun to watch them go crazy with joy. When the weather was bad, or the nights longer, we placed whole mangels in the coop and let them peck away as desired. You must start offering in small amounts however, or the poultry will get diarrhea. This is due to nitrates which are present until the plant becomes dormant or is harvested and stored for a few weeks. After a short while, we gradually increased the amount we fed them and had no problems.
We plan to triple the field size this year and will make mangels available in small quantities at the Tilth Farmers’ Market. We may sell seedlings, too. If you wish to plant your own from seed, contact Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds or another seed source. Have fun growing these 10- to 20-pound monsters!