Veggie Thanksgiving Round Up

If you've been reading this blog regularly, you'll know I'm a pescatarian - like a vegetarian, plus fish and seafood. My family gave up other kinds of meat for ethical reasons about... I guess nearly 6 years ago, when I was a junior at university. Honestly, apart from a few specific foods (like buffalo wings, but that might just be the spicy, buttery sauce) I don't miss meat very much.

But I do miss enjoying some of the meals and traditions that sort of revolve around meat. Grilling just isn't the same when you have to bring a veggie dog (which are gross), diner breakfasts feel just a little empty when short of bacon, and of course, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are often reduced to a few side dishes.

So I asked around for suggestions and got some great ideas I just had to share:

Abby from My Body Zen had a whole dinner full of suggestions, including Vegan Cranberry Sauce, Carrot & Apple Ginger Soup, Lentil Walnut Loaf, Sweet Potato Casserole, Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkin Gingerbread with Spiced Buttercream.

Kelley who blogs at Lavender & Cream told me about a cauliflower mac and cheese recipe that's out of this world and hinted at a sweet potato brûlée recipe coming out soon.

Emily who blogs over at Rainbow Delicious had a lot of recipes that would be great for a meatless Thanksgiving, including Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta and Potato topped Veggies, and appetizers like Roasted Tomato & Thyme Burrata Crostini, Feta Stuffed Bell Peppers and Grape Fontina Rosemary Skewers

Cassandra at Curse of Cassandra suggested Manicotti, stuffed shells, or lasagna (her suggestion actually inspired me to make Manicotti last week!) and offer some good advice: tons of spices, including garlic on veggies.

Jenny from Honey and Birch suggests this Gorgonzola and Green Bean Casserole.

Sarah from Curious Cuisiniere had these recipes to share: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Blue Cheese and Cranberries (my husband would love this!), an Apple and Mushroom Wild Rice stuffing (just sub veggie broth for chicken broth) and her Layered Sweet Potato and Apple Bake.

Michelle at Vitamin Sunshine suggested brussels sprouts with pomegranate pecans and Pistachio Salmon with Cranberry Sauce and Celriac (Celery root) Mash for pescitarians.

Want more ideas?

Samantha from Jill of all Trades told me everything by the Minimalist Baker is fantastic, and sure enough she has an Ultimate Thanksgiving Recipe Round Up.

12 Vegan and Vegetarina Thanksgiving Recipes by Design*Sponge

A Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu + 3-Day Game Plan by Oh My Veggies

Our Holiday Best: 20 Top Veg Thanksgiving Recipes by Vegetarian Times

If you need a laugh and some reassurance you're not alone, the BBC compiled a great list of stories from people around the world: 20 of your tales of vegetarian woe.

Jonathan Pagden, Chesham, Bucks: I once stayed in a hotel in Munich (in a land famous for offering six varieties of meat for breakfast), and asked for the vegetarian lunch option. The waiter brought a plate of bacon. When I pointed this out, he said, with a completely straight face, "It came from a vegetarian pig." I still don't know whether he was joking.

Finally, I'd like to give a shout out to foodiesfeed.com, for providing bloggers with free and royalty free food photos, like the one I used up top.