Oh what a beauty! How the mangelwurzel is making a comeback
Summary
The mangelwurzel, a root vegetable once mostly grown for animal food, is becoming popular again in Somerset, England. A new festival called The Great Polden Hills Mangelwurzel Day celebrates the vegetable with contests, music, and food made from it.Key Facts
- Mangelwurzel is a root vegetable related to beetroot, sugar beet, and chard.
- It was traditionally grown for people and livestock and used during food shortages.
- Over 100 people in seven Somerset villages are now growing mangelwurzels.
- The festival includes contests like biggest size, best shape, and a humorous category looking "Most like Donald Trump."
- The first festival attracted hundreds of locals and features music, vegetable hurling, and food made with mangelwurzel.
- The event raises money for a village hall and a mental health charity using gardening therapy.
- Mangelwurzel has cultural ties to Somerset, including traditional celebrations and folk music.
- Interest in mangelwurzel has spread beyond Somerset, appearing at the Chelsea Flower Show and in a 2025 ad with actor Timothée Chalamet.
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