Vegan MoFo Day 4. Thanksgiving is coming at us right quick here in Canada-ville. It’s a time for getting together with friends and family and cooking an excessive amount of food. So excessive , in fact, that leftovers often end up in the trash even though we eat ourselves stupid, foreheads glistening with the sweat of our toil. The meaning of the holiday? As much as I can figure, it is to just really rub our beautiful opulence in the faces of those less fortunate than us. You know, make it blatantly obvious, just as it is starting to get REALLY cold, that we know how good we have it. At least that is what is about in my family.
“The stains don’t quite reach my belly button yet. There’s no way poor kids will get how awesome food is. Definitely room for one more Yorkshire pudding,” says Cousin Manfred, every year.
Of course I am both jaded and joking. I’m not ACTUALLY related to ol’saturated pits up there and my real family is actually quite full of grace, both congenially timid and reasonably arid at every holiday mealtime. Sometimes holidays just get me down. I had an exceptionally stress-free childhood and, as an adult, I have an incredible respect for what grown-ups accomplish at every “most wonderful time of the year.” Really, I DO just want to be happy and thankful at Thanksgiving. But, in reality, we have to over-extend, under-nap and over-eat. But vegans kind of get a pass at that last one. Which brings me to the point of this post: Vegans at Thanksgiving.
My oldest son made this plaintive art at the wee age of 6. “Happy Thanksgiving?” Indeed.
Clearly, vegans do not care for the main draw of Thanksgiving: the ritual culling of pretty fricking amazing beings (I don’t want to link to the PETA article I found about turkeys soley because I am in an immense hurry and it was the first one that popped up and, also, I am not ridonkulous like PETA and I have been writing for over 14.4 hours at this point today, but, PLEASE, trust me, turkeys are freaking S.M.R.T.) But, the hidden horror for society-friendly vegans is actually…dun-dun-dun–the fear of rejection.
“I rebel because it is clear your acceptance of my convictions is mere placation.”
For those who choose to eat ethically rather than traditionally, every occasion feels like you are the sore thumb. “Here’s some cookies, but I know you won’t eat them.” “Oh! I know you won’t like this, but look how juicy the [insert juicy thing here] is.” “I guess you won’t let the kids have these, but…” Traditions are traditions because we repeat them time and time again. I respect that! That’s why I keep bringing animal-free main-dishes to every occasion. I want people other than my fiercely supportive parents and grandparents (I remember when you ate 18-year-old-me’s Minute Rice Sushi, Nana and Papa!) to try yummy good food. So I will just keep on bringing tasty, animal free treats and one day, maybe we’ll blend in as a zany side.
What’s your favourite thing to bring to an omni potluck? The most tantalizing prospect may get a prize…
I find vegan baked pasta dishes (rich ones!) tend to impress omnis. Such as the Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Cashew Ricotta from Veganomicon. It is such a please-all and very seasonally appropriate.
We pesky canajun vegans are hosting this year! Crazy, right? So on my menu, I have a roasted jalapeño corn hummus (from http://www.howsweeteats.com), a kale and apple slaw, roasted brussel sprouts and roasted potatoes, beet and lentil patties, and the “main attraction” are individual quinoa stuffed dumpling squash, where I tried to recreate my grandmother’s stuffing, sans bread and bacon, and am using roasted garlic (3 bulbs), as well as pecans and dark maple syrup for depth instead. Dessert is a crustless pumpkin pie (inspired by http://www.picklesnhoney.com ‘s tofu apple breakfast bake) with coconut whipped “cream” , and a zucchini chocolate cake with chocolate ganache. My family and in-laws are looking forward to the feast. But I have to say I have been getting flack from coworkers… “What?! No turkey?! But what will your children eat? ” And I try to explain that you can be just as grateful for the bounty of fresh fruit and veggies, and for the health of those close to you, without meat. The wine flows just as freely without the presence of meat…. As for my kids, they are saving room for the cake!
But to answer your question as to what I bring to an omni potluck? I bring PMS bark: melted chocolate, peanut butter, and agave. You throw in thin pretzels, roasted coconut, and salted cashews, place in a pan in the fridge until set, and cut into squares! Mmmmmm!
The lasagna recipe from Veganomicon. It’s usually gone in no time. And it’s pretty! I’ve got a pic up on my blog if youÄre interested: phoenixdreaming.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/first-lunch-in-the-new-flat-lasagna/
I love to bring a vegan cheesecake – my favorite being my key lime cheesecake. It’s one of those things that snobby omnis turn up their noses at when you mention it, “Ugh. Vegan CHEESEcake? Puh-leeeeze.” But then they taste it, and it’s amazing, and I’m all, “in your face! vegan is awesome!!” ;p
I tend to stick with sweets when I bring vegan food to my omni parents and in laws thanksgiving. The pecan pie from vegan pie in the sky was huge hit last year at both houses!
I would probably bring some butternut squash soup. People don’t notice that I used coconut milk instead of cream and it’s something people don’t expect meat in.
Ding Ding Ding! You win!!!! Everybody’s suggestions sound divine, but you, my sweet Bitt, understand the conundrum of gentle initiation. Message me on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/mywholedeal, and you shall reap thine rewards.
Isa’s seitan roll. It is UNBEATABLE! The omnis even like it!
http://veganfazool.blogspot.com/2011/11/its-not-too-late-make-isas-seitan-roast.html
The finished, cooked, sliced pics are here (sorry I posted it twice to your blog! Not intentional! But, I figured folks might like to see the finished roll!).
http://veganfazool.blogspot.com/2011/11/feast-photos-thanksgiving-2011.html
And that pie was amazing, and really, not hard. I’ll bring that if I’m not allowed to bring the seitan roll, haha.
I LOVE THANKSGIVING!!!
XOXO
For dinner we had whole wheat pasta with marainra sauce, mushrooms and some boca ground crumbles. On the side we had baked butternut squash. We also had steamed broccoli and kale! Yum!
Mushroom, Spinach, And Tofu-stuffed Manicotti is a fun yumful dish to bring and/or Cinnamon Blueberry Handpies for a treat! Cheers!
I sometimes make tamales, which are really fun and special and “harvesty”. Plus, they feel like a special treat for the vegans (there are a bunch of vegans and vegetarians in my family). I also always make dessert, which is lucky for me that no one else in my family is dying to make dessert. I usually make a pumpkin pie and then something fruity – like an apple pie or a pear tart. This year I am thinking I’ll make an apple-pear-quince pie, and use some of the spiced quince I made. Yum!
Green bean casserole!!! My favorite recipe? Definitely http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/11/best-vegan-green-bean-casserole.html. It is perfect!