Manglewurzel Give It a Grow.
I did not know much about this vegetable three weeks ago. But have consulted old books and even older friends to try and find out. I am sorry if this is old news to you, but I am sure it will be of interest to some. I started looking at this vegetable when an increasing amount of people started asking for information. The Manglewurzel or Mangold Wurzel is an ugly vegetable. It is midway between a sugar beet and a beetroot, but sweeter than the
beetroot. The Lincolnshire side of my family had a large pig farm in Lincolnshire, and I am pretty sure they would have fed them these, but they are perfectly good for us humans to eat both the roots and the leaves. Let's look at the Manglwurzel Red Mammoth.
Manglewurzel Red Mammoth.
It is a long red cylinder type. Red tinted flesh. Low dry matter, with 30% of root in soil and medium sized tops. They are dual purpose vegetables, large edible roots with an abundance of green leaves. It was often used as an alternative to potatoes. Thrives in harsh conditions. According to friends these are tasty in stews, soups, curries etc. I aim to roast my first crop with onion, normal beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnip, swede and normal potatoes with garlic in a good quality oil. Incidentally, due to the high sugar content they make very passable wines and beers.
They are rich in nutrients, vitamins A and C. Also rich in potassium and magnesium.
Other varieties are the Yellow Eckendorf an intermediate type, producing large roots, cylindrical in shape with white or yellow flesh.
Manglewurzel Yellow Ekandorf.
How to grow Manglewurzel.
Choose a sunny spot. Free draining in well fed soil. Does not tolerate hot conditions.
Sow depth: 1.25cm
Space between rows: 30cm
Spacing along rows: 30cm
Please let me know how you get on growing these interesting and versatile vegetables. Also, just as important, how you ate them.
I now have two varieties in my online shop. The Mammoth Red and the Ekandorf, not surprisingly you will find them with the beetroot, on the seeds page here
Difficulty: Fairly easy.
Nutritional Value: High.
Comments: Well worth trying.
