What to eat for the holidays as a vegetarian?

Question

I'm a vegetarian and I have no idea what to eat on the holidays when everyone else is having turkey and ham as their main course. What should I eat that would be delicious and still seem traditional.. Preferably southern American food.

I mean as a main dish.

Answer 1

My whole family is vegetarian and I know for Thanksgiving we have given Tofurky a try (some brands are actually pretty good!). Cooking other dishes such as beans and potateos also makes for a good meal. Cornbread is a frequent favorite and we have other tofu dishes sometimes that are always delicious. You can avoid the tofu altogether if you'd like and just rely on veggies and other proteins. We've had vegetarian lasagna before too, and that's always a hit. I'm not sure if I met your Southern American food bit but hope that helped anyway! =]

Answer 2

There are so many delicious options!!

If you go to Whole Foods, or probably any other food store, there are many fake turkey options.
Plus, you could ALWAYS do the side dish options, take a little of everything on the table (besides the meat). This is definitely an easy option, there's biscuits, potatoes, veggies, anything you could want! Just make a little meal out of those. My family finds this perfectly normal.

There's also many vegetarian recipies online. Vegetarian Times has an AMAZING website with anything you'd basically want, but a veggie version!

Good luck, hope you find something delicious!

Answer 3

usually there is plenty of food - if I am there, I usually don't make a big deal of anything and I just eat all the other things - if you are worried about it eat something before the get-together so that if you end up staring at an empty plate you at least will have some food in your tummy. That has only happened once to me and that was because people were just plain inconsiderate. But I've never had a problem at a holiday thing - they always seem to have enough other food - like sweet potatos, cranberry sauce, veggies - I usually fill my plate up quite high with other things, so nobody notices that I don't have any meat on my plate.

also you can bring a veggie dish to pass - and that will give you another choice of something to eat.

Answer 4

I never worry about the main course, there are so many side dishes that fill you up anyway. I make stuffing, mashed potatoes with a vegetarian gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans in a garlic sauce, salad etc. It's more then enough.

Answer 5

I love Chilli Jam. You could put it with anything.
Tofu, veges. Definitly have to throw some cashew nuts in with it.
I make my own.
1 onion and 1 capsicum ( red pepper ) and 3-4 chillis, 2 cloves garlic.
Blend them really fine then put it in a fry pan.
One some of the moisture is gone, add 2 tablespoons of Tamarind puree and 3 tablespoons of brown sugar.
mix in fry pan until it starts to thicken.
If you want it thicker, add a bit more brown sugar.

Serve on rice with your chosen veges.

For those reading who are not vegetarian, It is very good with chicken and cashew nuts.

Give it a try. Not traditional holiday food, but it's what you make of it.

Answer 6

Turkey isn't meat. Thats a hoot.
There is no shame in making corn grits as a main dish - the italians do it all the time, they just call it polenta - basically make your grits, then plop them in a bit of oil and fry them like burgers....they will get a little "crusty" browned on the outside, and creamy on the outside....top with the sauce of your chosing....
Google "polenta recipes" and you will have all kinds of options.

Or how about sweet potato, sage, and bulger crepes.
Hey - take a look at the vegetarian times website - they have all kinds of resources.

Here's to good eats!

Answer 7

I usually make Tofurky, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, rolls, and pumpkin pie. If you're eating with family just take a little Tofurky for yourself and a side to share (to make sure you have plenty to eat) and then eat whatever vegetarian sides are available.

http://www.veggieboards.com

Answer 8

Green bean caserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread and cranberries sauce, cole slaw or salad if you are not making or bringing food. If you are they sell tofurkey during the holidays and it is super delicious.

Answer 9

We usually have stuffed squash as the centerpiece of our Thanksgiving meal. I vary the stuffing every time but normally use quinoa or other grains, corn, celery, maybe mushrooms. This goes nicely with my home-made cranberry sauce, whole-wheat rolls, yams, greens & whatever dessert we're having. Use whatever savory herbs & seasonings work best for you.

Answer 10

I don't know. I always just eat everything but the meat. My family makes tons of side dishes.