Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Thanksgiving is Coming!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching! I love this holiday, such good food, time with family and friends, and did I mention good food?

Since I am a vegetarian, people often ask how I "do" Thanksgiving, or they feel bad for me that I don't get the usual "fixings," or they ask if I eat Tofurky. So, I figured I would do a post about how to feed vegetarians on this festive day!

1. For me at least, I have never had meat. So I am not missing turkey! I grew up with so many other dishes, I miss those if they aren't present at my celebration each year. But nope, I don't miss turkey. Clearly, every vegan/vegetarian is different, but don't be afraid to ask what dishes they like to have so they can have a fun and delicious celebration!

2. Most of the usual "fixings" can be made vegan/vegetarian! Use soy/rice/almond milk instead of cows milk and use vegan butter. Use veggie stock not meat stock. Make lots of veggie sides, they are delicious and fill you up with less guilt and there are plenty of sweets that can be adapted, too!
**there are tons of way to make gluten-free options too, vegetables are naturally GF and many companies sell gf pie crusts now!**

3. Don't serve Tofurky....unless your vegan/veggie loved guest requests it. For me, at least, I have never had meat so I don't need a fake version...and it looks weird...

So...what do you serve? Showcase vegetables! This is a harvest holiday - there are an array of delicious options at our fingertips this time of year. Make roasted veggies, easy and light. Make a stuffing that is not in the bird and use veggie stock instead.

Usually, for us, we have:
- A lentil or bean dish: a favorite is lentil stuffed zucchini or stuffed eggplant
- Veggie Stew (recipe below)
- Roasted vegetable of some kind (lots of ways to get creative here)
- Gluten-free corn bread stuffing
- Sweet potato fluff (or another yummy squash dish)
- Cranberry relish
- Pumpkin pie

But today, I am sharing my favorite winter veggie stew. It's from the old Moosewood cookbook and so delicious. The molasses and dill take this to an amazing level and it is a real easy crowd pleaser!
* this makes a bunch, maybe 6-8 side portions on a big eating day like Thanksgiving
** it freezes super well!
***Check out my pinterest boards or the recipe section of my blog for lots more recipes!

And the fun and tastiness is not over! Check out these other Thanksgiving favorites from some of my favorite bloggers!
 Kleinworth & Co.,Recipe Round-Up, recipe sharing, monthly recipe sharing blog round-up, blog party

Pumpkin Chip Cream Pie  from Let's Dish
Cranberry Orange Martini from One Martini at a Time
Snickers Caramel Apple Salad from In the Moment With
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel  from Joyful Healthy Eats
Cranberry Sauce from Little by Little
Garlic Cheese Dip Appetizer from Nap-Time Creations
Grandma's Jello Salad from More Than Simple Living
Pumpkin Rolls   from Rainy Day Cravings


Do you want to participate in future Recipe Round-Up's & join in on the fun??

email Gina at Kleinworth & Co (chichomeschoolmama{at}att{dot}net) for details.

20 thoughts on the matter:

Unknown said... {Reply}

That stew vegetable stew looks amazing!! I may have to give it a try!! I'm always up for hearty dishes this time of the year!

Buckeroomama said... {Reply}

Thanksgiving is not really celebrated here, but we usually do make a pumpkin pie or two to share with friends. :)

Anonymous said... {Reply}

What a great idea for vegetarians and carnivores alike! TG is a great meal to showcase veggies of all kinds!

Laura said... {Reply}

Love that cookbook… I've been asked the same questions for years Tamar. It is so funny, when you consider, aside from the turkey, most of the meal is an abundance of veggie sides anyway!!!

...melody... said... {Reply}

This looks fantastic! I love veggies and will totally have to try out some of your recipes. Yum!

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said... {Reply}

That stew looks so yummy! I think I had that at the restaurant when we were there 3 years ago! We just visited there again and I had a stuffed delicata squash...oh my goodness!!!
I've been looking through my MW cookbook for ideas when the Vegan comes home for Thanksgiving. Can't wait! I've always enjoyed the side dishes more than the turkey and now that I'm not eating turkey, I can eat even more side dishes! Yay!

Pride In Photos Beauty said... {Reply}

Well, it seems like you are not missing a thing. the dishes look fab!

Kim said... {Reply}

I think you have nailed the heart of the meal with foods that are harvested! Your Thanksgiving fare sounds wonderful and the sides are always my favorites!

Unknown said... {Reply}

These are some great tips! My favorite is #3. ;) I can't imagine vegetarians would want Tofurkey. Honestly, I think the only reason turkey is a big deal is because people only eat it once a year. It is really not that exciting. And the stew looks delicious!

Gina Kleinworth said... {Reply}

Love the tips!!! I agree with Danelle- except that we roast a turkey several times per year because how else can a family our size eat for $30 for the whole week? hehehe. Thanks for joining in!!!

you-wee because said... {Reply}

I'm no vegetarian, but I cannot eat products with gluten AND milk at all. So I have more or less the same problems when invited to a party of my friends - for them it seems to be really hard to find or cook the right food stuff for me. That's the reason I'm always prepared and I take a - more or less - "secrete reserve" (gluten and lactose-free bread and spread) with me - in the top compartment of my photo rucksack! ;-) And I mix it up with the food offered on the party.
Thanks for your kind comment and your rest under my "November trees",
have a pleasant week, Uwe.

renae said... {Reply}

Looks so yummy! I am so behind on my cooking and baking around here with all the Baby Z action.

Hey did Ronan have to be in isolation once at home? Baby Z has to be only at home and if he gets sick again he has to get back into the hospital. I think that is routine and safe but was wondering about what Ronan experienced?

Pieni Lintu said... {Reply}

Sounds great!!

Kim Stevens said... {Reply}

Seriously, turkey takes up way less space on my plate than all the veggie stuff, but I sure do love turkey gravy! One of my family traditions is homemade egg noodles cooked in chicken broth...I will have to try that in vegetable broth sometime. Like you said roasted or grilled veggies are great, and two of my favs are grilled cauliflower (sliced as a big round thick steak) and romaine lettuce.

Anonymous said... {Reply}

Oh! It looks so yummy! Ugh! Thanksgiving is coming. :) Yikes!

Deanna said... {Reply}

Ahh thanks for sharing this wonderful veggie recipe and your collage of all your favs is making my mouth water. Oh yum, I do love this time of the year!!

Sharon said... {Reply}

Oh, yum!!! I do want to try the vegetable stew. I LOVE sweet potatoes!

Emily Thompson said... {Reply}

wow, that stew looks amazing! I'm also a vegetarian, but I LOVE all the other Thanksgiving sides...Potatoes, beans, stuffing... desserts :o) I could just eat pie and be happy!! I hope you had a chance to come check out the cheese dip I made for the round up.. :o) Emily@nap-timecreations.com

Unknown said... {Reply}

Wow! The stew sounds amazing, love all the fresh ingredients you use in it. Has to be awesome!

Jessica said... {Reply}

The stew sounds great! I'll have to try it sometime this winter.