The Best Vegetarian Holiday Meal Substitutions

Enhance Holiday Traditions with Vegan Recipes

Nov 11, 2009

Food is the central theme for many holiday traditions. Vegetarians and Vegans can celebrate the holidays with new food traditions such as these recipe ideas.

A vegetarian thanksgiving does not mean one is stuck with Tofurkey and little selection. Any vegetarian or vegan knows that vegetarian meals are full with different flavors, colors and variety.

If this is the first holiday spent as a vegetarian, do not worry. Many simple substitutions for the favorite holiday recipes will still be tasty and help bring back favorite memories from times past.

Turkey Substitutions for Vegetarians

The obvious substitution that is needed to be made is the turkey. Of course turkey can be substituted with Tofurkey. Tofurkey is a brand name substitution for turkey made from tofu that is convenient and can be purchased at most grocery stores. It carves and cuts just like a turkey. The company even offers a Tofurkey Vegetarian Feast that includes a Tofurkey roast, apple potato dumplings, gravy, and stuffing.

Another substitution for turkey can be stuffed squash. Cut a winter squash (butternut or acorn are the most common) in half with seeds and strings removed. Squash will need to be prebaked for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Fill the squash with a mixture of chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, diced Granny Smith apple, walnuts, raisins, and bread. Season the stuffing with pepper, parsley, sage and thyme. Grate cheddar cheese (or a vegetarian cheese for a vegan meal) on top. Everything added can be done to taste. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

New Vegetarian Side Dishes for the Holidays

Many of the courses in a thanksgiving meal are already vegetarian. The only difference may be some slight preparation changes if a vegan is in the house. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce are staples in a thanksgiving meal and are already vegetarian.

Try a new side dish that is full of fall flavor. Recipes that call for cranberries, apples, mushrooms and pine nuts have a fall feel to them. Mushroom gravy is simple to make and does not call for any animal by parts. A traditional green salad with apples and pine nuts added to it will have a more holiday look.

Vegetarian Desserts

For pies, many of the traditional holiday fillings can stay the same (pumpkin, apple, and pecan) but the pie crust will need to be changed for a vegan dessert. A different crust like a cookie or graham cracker crust can be substituted or look for a vegan shortening at the health food store to make a pie crust.

Tofu is a great option for desserts; it can replace creams and eggs in many recipes. Have extra on hand for easy substitutions.

The first couple of holidays spent for new vegetarians may be hard to get used to. However over time old traditions will be replaced with these new recipes. Just remember to enjoy the holiday: the meaning and the company. Let food be a complement to the holidays, not the definition of it.

HOL101

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