HELP! about thanksgiving dinner?

Question

okay so this is gonna be my first thanksgiving as a vegetarian, now ill be having dinner with my family and they are BiG meat eaters..they eat the traditional dinner, plus tamales carnitas and other food. Now i dont wanna be a drag and ask them to make me a special dinner, or anything.so, What should i EAT?

ps.no tofurkey im tired of tofu.lol

thanks people.

Answer 1

My brother is veggie and every Thanksgiving my mom and I make Ratatouille. Its sooo delicious, and my brother has to smack the hands of the meat eaters since they have so many other options: Here is a good recipe, its similar to my families. we just change up a few things.


There are many ways to make a ratatouille, the Provençal vegetable ragout with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, onions and tomatoes. In Provence, we just cooked everything together in the pan. But in this lighter version you can use less olive oil, because you roast the eggplant before cooking it with the rest of the vegetables. Ratatouille really benefits from being made the day before you wish to serve it.

2 pounds -- 2 large or 4 smallish -- eggplant

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

2 large onions, thinly sliced

6 large garlic cloves, 4 sliced or minced, 2 put through a press or pureed

1 large red bell pepper, cut into slices about 3/4 inch wide by 1-1/ 2 inches long

1 large green bell pepper, cut into slices about 3/4 inch wide by 1-1/2 inches long

salt to taste

1 1/2 pounds (about 3 medium) zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and sliced about 1/2 inch thick (if the zucchini is very large, quarter it lengthwise before slicing)
4 large or 6 medium-size tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)

1 bay leaf

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon crushed dried

2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon crushed dried

freshly ground pepper to taste

2 to 4 tablespoons slivered fresh basil, to taste



1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise, and score down the middle, making sure not to cut through the skin. Place on an oiled baking sheet (or baking sheets if one isn’t big enough), cut side down. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skins begin to shrivel and the edges against the pan are browning. Remove from the heat, transfer the eggplants to a colander, cut side down so they can drain, and allow to cool in the sink, where they will release some of their juice (meanwhile you can prepare the rest of the vegetables). When the eggplant is cool enough to handle, cut the halves in half lengthwise along the score line. Peel away the skin if you wish, and cut into 3/4-inch dice. Set aside.Turn the oven down to 350 degrees. Oil a large heavy lidded casserole, preferably earthenware, with olive oil.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Cook, stirring, until they have softened. This should take about 5 minutes. They will be translucent and the slices will be flexible. Add half the sliced or minced garlic and cook, stirring, for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the onions have just begun to color. Remove from the heat and transfer to the casserole.

3. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the skillet over medium heat and add the peppers. Stir for a couple of minutes and add about 1/4 teaspoon salt, or 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the peppers begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and the remaining sliced or minced garlic. Continue to cook, stirring, for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the zucchni looks translucent. Transfer to the casserole with the onions. Add the diced eggplant, half the tomatoes, and the tomato paste to the casserole. Stir in the bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and about a teaspoon of coarse sea salt, or 3/4 teaspoon fine salt. Stir everything together, cover and place in the oven. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 to 30 minutes.

4. Stir in the remaining tomatoes and garlic. Taste and adjust the salt. Add freshly ground pepper and return to the oven for another 30 minutes. Stir in the basil, cover, and allow to cool. Refrigerate overnight if possible. Taste, adjust seasonings, and serve hot cold, or room temperature.

Also you of course will have all the yummy sides, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, veggies, salads, breads. This is a great main course for you! Enjoy :)

Answer 2

You can yams and mashed potatoes and peas and rolls. If your parents don't fix veggies, then take your own meal. You will have this problem as long as you are vegeterian. So you have to learn to deal with it without hurting other peoples feelings. You may even have to give up eating in public restaurants because you don't know if the vegetables are being cooked in animal fat. Can you eat cheese or eggs or dessert???

Answer 3

Nowadays, SO many people are on special diets because of health concerns, diets, ethics, religions, etc., it's nothing to bring your own food to a gathering anymore.

Prep your own main course (who says you can't have veggie lasagna for Thanksgiving?) and partake of the non-animal-product foods available.

My immediate family eats kosher, like fairyp, but the extended family do not. They don't mind if we bring our own meats, etc.

Answer 4

You can make a feast of the side dishes. If your parents are aware of your dietary needs, then perhaps they can make you vege tamales or enchiladas. If not, enjoy the sides and don't make a big deal about it.

Answer 5

If you don't want to ask them to make a special dish for you, just bring something with you. You'll have something to eat and you can share it with everyone else.

Answer 6

do you eat fish? you could make some and bring it with you. also watch out for the side dishes we make mashed potatoes with chicken stock (our house is kosher no mixing meat with dairy) and the stuffing is made with chicken stock as well

Answer 7

If you don't want them to make additional items for you, or items that are alright for everyone (including you) to eat, you may just have to make your own the night before and bring it with you.

Answer 8

they will have that is meatless on the table.but bring some thing any way. maybe the smell of that turkey will bring you back to us meat eaters.

Answer 9

Potatoes, yams, bring your own main dish and dessert.

Answer 10

corn sweet potatoes beans peas salads