Here Are Foods You Can Eat On Thanksgiving That Aren't Turkey
We may associate turkeys with Thanksgiving, but that doesn't mean one has to be on your plate. Whether you're giving up eating meat for the animals, for your health or for the environment, there are plenty of vegetarian options, like the ones below.
Tarts, potpies and quiche (Flickr/Kirsten Loza)
These scrumptious dishes do double-duty as either a side or a main entrée. Depending on which one you choose, they can be topped and filled with just about any ingredient you'd like - walnuts, apples, cheese or potatoes - and most can be served either hot or cold. Here are a few recipes for inspiration:
Sweet Potato, Red Onion & Fontina Tart
Individual Pot Pies (Vegan)
Arugula and Cremini Quiche with Gluten-Free Almond Meal Crust
Kale–Cauliflower Tart with a Cheddar Crust
Pastaand pizza(Flickr/Bookis)
An Italian-inspired menu is a wonderful way to spruce up the traditional Thanksgiving get-together. Spaghetti, lasagna and even pizza are not only delicious, but they'll also leave you feeling just as stuffed as any turkey dinner would. Some of you may even remember when writer Calvin Trillin jokingly called for pasta carbonara to replace turkey as the national Thanksgiving dish. We think he might've been on to something, but maybe sans bacon.
Pasta alla Carbonara alla Giudea
Garlic Pasta (Vegan)
Ricotta-and-Fontina-Stuffed Shells with Fennel and Radicchio
Burgers and fries (Flickr/SweetOnVeg)
That's right - we see no reason Thanksgiving can't be turned into an old-fashioned cookout! Whip out those vegetarian patties and start up the grill, because there are some mouthwatering burgers out there for anyone looking to be meat-free. Toss in some green beans, fries and corn on the cob, and you might have a new family tradition.
Green Bean Casserole (Vegan)
Squash(Flickr/banditob)
We love squash, mostly due to the endless ways you can use it on a menu. Craving spaghetti but can't eat pasta? You can make it out of squash! Want to enjoy a cheesy casserole? Squash has you covered. It even works as a topping on just about everything. Here are some options to help introduce it into your Thanksgiving feast.
Butternut Squash Baked Risotto
Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas & Kale
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili in Pumpkin Bowls
Black Bean and Butternut Squash Burritos
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wheat Berries, Pine Nuts & Sage (Vegan)
Tofu(Flickr/Stacy Spensley)
When most people hear the word tofu, they run for the hills, but it's actually possible to make the stuff taste delicious. Really craving turkey? Try one of the dishes below. Tofu is a great stand-in for meat.
Homemade Tofurkey with Brown Rice Stuffing