The Sugarbeet, Garden Beet, Spinach Beet, Swiss Chard and Fodder Beet (Mangel-wurzel) are all descendants of the wild beet, Beta vulgaris also known as Sea Beet.
Fodder beet is classified in the Fodder Beet Group also known as Crassa Group. It’s also known as mangold wurzel, mangold, mangel beet, field beet.
The large, white, yellow or orange-yellow swollen roots were developed in the 18th century as a fodder crop for feeding livestock. They are highly variable in size and shape.
Fodder beet is primarily used to feed cattle and pigs although the young immature roots and leaves can be eaten. The leaves can be lightly steamed for salads or lightly boiled as a vegetable. The roots can be boiled like potato and mashed, or diced and stewed in sweet curries.
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