will there be a non-vegetarian main course a well? I ask because I' a vegetarian who attends a big thanksgiving every year with no vegetarian main course -- just a huge turkey -- and i am totally fine just eating veggie sides (and pie). For this to work you have to make sure nobody's sticking ham in the beans, though.
I did Thanksgiving last year, and the only 2 non-vegetarian items were a turkey and one gravy (I also had a vegetarian gravy). Here were the dishes: starters: caramelized onion and thyme tarts, white bean and herb dip, cheese board, rosemary olive oil marona almonds Mains: mashed potatoes with crispy crunches, vegetarian mushroom thyme gravy, Brussels sprouts with pistachios and lime, vegetarian stuffing, sweet potato salad with orange maple dressing, cranberry sauce and then apple and pumpkin pie. One of my vegetarian guests said it was the best Thanksgiving meal she had ever had.
There's always Tofurky. I haven't made this, but it looks pretty good: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/vegan-tofurkey-with-mushroom-stuffing-and-gravy
As a vegetarian: please do not serve Tofurkey. A nice stuffed squash would be way better in my view. Fake meat is rarely very good, especially the texture.
I think trying to be turkeyish might be hard (other than the Tofurky - but that sounds horrible and processed). How about a mushroom Wellington or a butternut squash lasagna? I kind of like the Wellington because you can still serve it with all the traditional sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing and gravy. Those are the best parts anyway.
As someone who has been on & off vegetarian for 20+ years, Quorn (or Gardein, or Field Roast) is definitely better than Tofurky but I'd really rather just eat vegetables!
It doesn't need to be meat replacement, just something that makes a good centerpiece. Went to a vegan thanksgiving last year where they did a mushroom wellington for the main.
A big squash or small pumpkin filled with stuffing and baked. If not vegan, add butter and cheese. If vegan, use quite a bit of veggie stock to keep it moist. If a small group, and veg not vegan, a pumpkin souffle is great a small group.
Butternut squash is very autumnal. Here's a good recipe: https://ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/roast-butternut-squash-and-red-onion-with-tahini-and-za-atar
ITA with squash. I would include some grain, pasta (a more ineresting shape) or beans to make a main dish.
will there be a non-vegetarian main course a well? I ask because I' a vegetarian who attends a big thanksgiving every year with no vegetarian main course -- just a huge turkey -- and i am totally fine just eating veggie sides (and pie). For this to work you have to make sure nobody's sticking ham in the beans, though.
I did Thanksgiving last year, and the only 2 non-vegetarian items were a turkey and one gravy (I also had a vegetarian gravy). Here were the dishes: starters: caramelized onion and thyme tarts, white bean and herb dip, cheese board, rosemary olive oil marona almonds Mains: mashed potatoes with crispy crunches, vegetarian mushroom thyme gravy, Brussels sprouts with pistachios and lime, vegetarian stuffing, sweet potato salad with orange maple dressing, cranberry sauce and then apple and pumpkin pie. One of my vegetarian guests said it was the best Thanksgiving meal she had ever had.
It sounds delicious.
@Anonymous wow. Can you share a recipe for your vegi stuffing please
@Anonymous Yes, it's literally called "The Best Vegetarian Stuffing Ever" - https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/the-best-vegetarian-stuffing-ever-50009976
OP: Thanks for all these ideas! I am also especially looking for something that could be the "main course" that is somewhat turkey-ish.
There's always Tofurky. I haven't made this, but it looks pretty good: https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/vegan-tofurkey-with-mushroom-stuffing-and-gravy
As a vegetarian: please do not serve Tofurkey. A nice stuffed squash would be way better in my view. Fake meat is rarely very good, especially the texture.
I think trying to be turkeyish might be hard (other than the Tofurky - but that sounds horrible and processed). How about a mushroom Wellington or a butternut squash lasagna? I kind of like the Wellington because you can still serve it with all the traditional sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing and gravy. Those are the best parts anyway.
Vegetarian lasagna or other veggie pasta dish
OP: Found an item called "Quorn Turkey Roast" that gets good reviews and is low in fat. Not vegan, per se, but vegetarian. Anyone tried it?
As someone who has been on & off vegetarian for 20+ years, Quorn (or Gardein, or Field Roast) is definitely better than Tofurky but I'd really rather just eat vegetables!
It doesn't need to be meat replacement, just something that makes a good centerpiece. Went to a vegan thanksgiving last year where they did a mushroom wellington for the main.
Vegetable tagine with pearl couscous
I would do roasted squash with gnocci and mixed sauteed mushrooms ( add chanterelles definitely). Add thyme, pecans or walnuts.
this sounds amazing.
A big squash or small pumpkin filled with stuffing and baked. If not vegan, add butter and cheese. If vegan, use quite a bit of veggie stock to keep it moist. If a small group, and veg not vegan, a pumpkin souffle is great a small group.
I bake tofu with a glaze and make baked mac and cheese + lots of roasted vegs