veg-giving

it's still over a month away, but as soon as the first fall chill gets into the air, i begin to get excited about the arrival of my most favorite holiday ever in the whole entire universe, THANKSGIVING.

this year will mark the first year that i am completely vegetarian for the holiday.  i've been a quasi-veg in the past, breaking my anti-carnivore vows in favor of savoring a generous helping of gravy-slathered turkey and turnip greens cooked with ham.  as my appetite for meat has dwindled and left me almost grossed-out at the thought of ingesting an animal, i am left wondering how i am going to enjoy a holiday centered around a giant, plucked and roasted dead bird (and its various accoutrements).

luckily, i'm not alone in this dilemma; i won't be the first person who strives to have a veggiegiving amidst a sea of turkey-loving friends and relatives.  and i'm glad to know that many of my favorite thanksgiving recipes can be altered to be (or already are!) kind, and veggie friendly.

roasted shallots
the weeping and ruined mascara that comes with the prep is so worth it...the shallots get sweet and creamy on the inside and deliciously brown and crispy on the outside.  purple is such an unexpected color on the thanksgiving table, but it works, and it is a delight!

carrot souffle
something new to our table last year, but it was a smash and we were all left licking our fingers, and the souffle dish.

cranberry chutney
a rue/jones holiday classic, that always has, and always will be, deliciously meat free!

quinoa stuffing
i'm thinking something with all the regular stuffing flavors, minus the chicken broth part.  oregano, maybe some nuts and raisins thrown in there, and some bread crumbs for varying texture.

greens with veggie broth
no holiday meal where i come from is complete without a generous helping of greens of any variety...collard, turnip, or what have you.  they're usually cooked with ham, which gives them their unmistakably salty flavor.  my grandfather used to cut the saltiness (or maybe enhance it?) by pouring some vinegar over his greens.  i think if i cook mine with veggie broth instead of pig juice, i'll feel better about myself and not like a schmuck for shirking family tradition.

mashed potatoes
pretty straightforward...any ideas for a good gravy substitute?

i also stumbled across nava atlas' in a vegetarian kitchen website, filled with amazing, creative ideas to celebrate the harvest the kind way.  instead of substituting the meat with the infamous tofurkey (which skeeves me out a little bit, in all honesty...i'm not a huge soy fan), i think i might try out the butternut squash stuffed with wild rice!

what the holiday all comes down to is that you get to spend time with people you are glad to have in your life, and that you get to share a meal surrounded by them.  thanksgiving doesn't have to be a preachy holiday, and i don't intend to espouse a "veggier-than-thou" attitude when i sit down at the table this year.  as long as you are thankful for the meal in front of you, and as long as you appreciate the labors of nature to provide for you and the labors of those who prepared the meal, you can have a kind thanksgiving.