hold the tofurky

[yum?]

i love thanksgiving. there's something to be said about a holiday where it is not only ok, but it is encouraged, to eat and drink to the point of being uncomfortable. not only that, but there are no formalities to thanksgiving. unlike holidays like christmas and rosh hashanah, you don't have to dress up for church or fast all day long -you just, well, eat!

but being vegan on thanksgiving does not mean you have to go out and buy a tofurky in order to join in the feasting fun. in fact, i would highly advise against that. (by the way, it's amazing that they can make a vegan alternative to turkey look so much like the most processed hunk of lunch meat i've ever seen). there are plenty of meat alternatives for your thanksgiving meal that are much more appetizing than this hunk of tofu. here are some recipes i've found:

holiday lentil loaf
the un-meat loaf
walnut apple stuffing
cranberry chutney
maple and tarragon sweet potatoes
more at veg kitchen and vegweb

also, the new york times wrote an article at the beginning of this month about vegan thanksgiving recipes. here is the article with the recipes. a friend of mine made the harvest-stuffed portobello mushrooms and the maple roasted brussel sprouts with toasted hazelnuts for a thanksgiving potluck the other day and they were both amazing!

[maple roasted brussel sprouts]

[stuffed portobello mushrooms]

lastly, if you're cooking your vegan thanksgiving by yourself, take some time to read this article: vegan thanksgiving 101. it gives you the basics on cooking a vegan thanksgiving meal.

happy thanksgiving, everyone!