How to Carve Your Mangelwurzel for Halloween – The Original British Jack-o’-Lantern

Move over pumpkins, this Halloween, we’re getting back to our roots. Quite literally.

Before the pumpkin craze crossed the Atlantic, British farmers and rural communities were carving mangelwurzels into ghoulish lanterns to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the harvest. These knobbly, oversized beets (also known as “mangels” or “mangolds”) are part of our horticultural heritage and this year, thanks to the She Grows Veg community, they’re making a glorious, slightly spooky comeback.If you’ve grown your own Red or Yellow Mangelwurzel this year, here’s how to turn it into the ultimate Halloween showstopper and honour a centuries-old British tradition in the process.

A Little History Lesson

Long before pumpkins ever reached our shores, the people of Britain and Ireland carved root vegetables, mainly turnips, swedes, and mangelwurzels into lanterns during the harvest festivals of autumn. These eerie faces were lit from within and placed on windowsills or fence posts to ward off evil spirits and guide home the souls of loved ones.

The tradition later inspired the Jack-o’-lantern when Irish immigrants brought the custom to America, swapping our humble roots for the much larger (and softer!) pumpkins they found there.

But here in the UK, farmers once proudly displayed their carved mangels in the fields and village squares. They were knobbly, ghostly, and a little unsettling, everything a Halloween decoration should be.And now, the mangelwurzel revival is in full swing. Thousands of She Grows Veg growers have harvested their giant roots this autumn, ready to bring the tradition back to life and we couldn’t be prouder.

How to Carve a Mangelwurzel

You’ll need:

• A large, freshly harvested mangelwurzel (the gnarlier, the better!)
  
• A sharp knife or sturdy vegetable peeler
  
• A spoon or melon baller for scooping
  
• A marker pen to sketch your design
  
• A tea light, LED candle, or fairy light for the glow

How to:

1. Pick your perfect mangel. Choose a firm one that’s roughly the size of a small melon, any shape will do. The lumps and bumps only add character (and creepiness).
2. Slice the top off. Cut off a “lid” from the top, just like you would with a pumpkin.
3. Hollow it out. Use a sturdy spoon to scoop out the inside, leaving the walls about 2cm thick. Save the insides, mangelwurzel mash or chutney, anyone?
4. Sketch your design. Use a marker to draw eyes, a nose and a suitably scary grin. Traditional mangel faces tended to be more grotesque than cute, think haunted farmyard spirit rather than friendly pumpkin patch!
5. Carve carefully. Mangelwurzels are tougher than pumpkins, so take your time. A small paring knife works best for control.
6. Light it up. Pop in a candle or LED light and replace the top. Place your masterpiece by the door, on a gatepost, or glowing in your greenhouse window for maximum effect.

The Sustainable Halloween Choice

Unlike mass-produced pumpkins (millions of which are thrown away each year), your carved mangelwurzel is homegrown, compostable, and full of heritage. When Halloween’s over, simply pop it in the compost heap, or let it feed the wildlife in your garden.

It’s a brilliant way to honour your harvest, connect with the past, and celebrate growing your own food, She Grows Veg style.

So this October, skip the imported pumpkins and try something with real British spirit.Because when it comes to Halloween, we’re saying loud and clear:
🎃 Pumpkins are overrated. Long live the Mangelwurzel! 🌾

Grow Your Own for Next Year
If you missed out on this year’s #MangelMadness, don’t worry, you can grab mangelwurzel seeds from here👉 https://shegrowsveg.com/product-category/seeds/vegetable-seeds/mangelwurzel-seeds/