Tasty Tips for a Vegetarian Holiday

Vegan Menus and Raw Thanksgiving Options

Nov 26, 2008
Leigh Hopkins

raw red cabbage makes delicous coleslaw - greenfinger

Vegetarians can have a happy holiday when armed with an arsenal of delicious vegetable dishes created to please the whole family.

Being a vegetarian during the holiday season can be challenging for veggie lovers and family members alike. Hosting a vegetarian can needlessly send Great Aunt Bertha into a wave of doubt and insecurity as she wonders whatever will she make. And will she offend the vegetarian by serving up her famous turkey and dumplings?

Fortunately, the task is much easier than you may think. Here’s a quick guide for vegetarians and the omnivores who love them.

Tips for Hosting a Vegetarian During the Holidays

Focus on side dishes: It’s not necessary to create a meat replacement for turkey or pot roast--in fact, many a tofurkey has needlessly died at the hands of the inexperienced vegan chef! Most vegetarians are accustomed to helping themselves to vegetable side dishes like mashed potatoes, squash, peas, collard greens, salad, and bread.
Provide a one-dish option. If you feel like going to the extra trouble, you can make a vegetarian lasagna (just be sure to find out if they eat cheese), soup, veggie loaf, or veggie casserole.
Make a crudite platter. Raw veggies and dip are a hit with the whole family, and a great way to satisfy your vegetarian guests.
Ask your guests to bring something. Do a potluck dinner, and ask all of your guests to bring a dish to pass. That way, vegetarians can bring something they’re sure to like.
Communicate. Ask your vegetarian guests what their diets are like. There’s a huge amount of variety in types of vegetarians—vegetarian, vegan, ovo-lacto, raw and so on. Just ask them what they eat, and they’ll likely tell you that they’ll be happy to eat whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Don’t stress about it. In American tradition, a turkey is pardoned each year at Thanksgiving. Your vegetarian guests will more than likely eat whatever you’ve made and be grateful that you went to the trouble to think of them.

Vegetarian Holiday Menus

If you’re hosting holiday dinner and you’re a vegetarian, you may be anxious about pleasing your guests. Try some of these suggestions:

Focus on variety. Fill people’s plates with as many sweet and savory vegetarian options as you can manage to make. Try serving a green goddess salad, raw coleslaw, garlicky greens, hearty mashed potatoes, vegetarian stuffing, squash with maple syrup, and a raw pumpkin pie.
Make a one-dish meal. There are many dishes that can serve as a satisfying and hearty substitute for turkey and all the fixings. Try some of these dishes from Suite 101’s vegetarian holiday recipe index.
Ask people to bring something. If you’re not offended by having meat in your home and your guests have expressed concern about not having turkey and gravy, ask them to bring meat as a side-dish.
Add an element of surprise. Delight your guests by serving up fresh juices in champagne glasses, or toss back a green smoothie in a shot glass. It’s a great way to refresh in between courses. Finish the meal off with a carrot/apple/ginger juice as a digestive.
Be thankful you’re healthy. The average holiday dinner packs a whopping 4,000 calories, which adds up to 5 pounds of extra weight. Stuff yourselves with veggies and skip the tryptophan high!