A mangel wurzel (often simply called a mangel) is a root crop in the beet family used mainly for feeding livestock. It looks like a large fat orangy colored beet, about 8 inches or more diameter. Not used much nowadays. Used to be used for Jack O'Lanterns years ago.
It was also used for the head of the storybook scarecrow Wurzel Gummage. Jon Pertwee (The third Dr. Who)played the part of Wurzel Gummage of an English childrens TV series in the fifties.

I enjoyed the hugs and needed the laughs as well.

Thanks,
Bert.