It’s that time of year again in which friends and family come together on the last Thursday in November to celebrate community and charity. When people think of Thanksgiving, turkey, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie are what come to mind. However, there are those in the community who choose to forsake the meat and dairy for veggies and grains. Just because the “traditional” Thanksgiving is filled with animal-based foods does not mean that someone who is vegan can not join in the festivities. Below there are a sampling of what a vegan can make for Thanksgiving. These recipes are from One Green Planet.
Course: Appetizer
Cinnamon Graham Crackers with Pumpkin-Spiced Hummus
Ingredients: cinnamon Graham Crackers, Pumpkin puree, hummus
Highlights: Rich pumpkin flavor complemented by the cinnamon of the graham cracker
Course: Soup
Autumn Vegetable Soup with Parsley Pesto
Ingredients: celery, garlic, carrots, olive oil, red pepper, vegetable stock, yellow beans, and parsley
Highlights: Warm and inviting with a strong blend of flavors and texture from the vegetables
Course: main dish
Vegan Caesar Salad
Ingredients: romaine lettuce, chickpeas, assorted nut Parmesan cheese
Highlights: a vegan take on a classic dish, with the same amount of robust flavor coming from your favorite Caesar dressing.
Course: side dish
Ingredients: pasta, garlic, olive oil, shredded cabbage and carrots, light Italian vinaigrette
Highlights: Zesty kick from the vinaigrette works well with the garlic and pasta.
Carrot Cashew Paté
Course: side dish
Ingredients: carrots, cashews, tahini, lemon juice, ginger, cilantro, salt
Highlights: ginger adds variety to the bland of carrots and cashews, as the lemon juice enhances the flavors in the rest of the dish.
Course: dessert
Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients: Soy cream cheese, graham cracker crust, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract
Highlights: a new spin on a classic Thanksgiving dessert, this vegan pumpkin pie is rich and creamy, while also supplying a strong sweet crunch with the graham cracker crust.
These are just a few dishes one could make without the use of animal products. Vegan food doesn’t have to be bland, and as these dishes prove, one can have a solid blend of great taste and healthy benefit.