Thanksgiving's main event has always been the treasured turkey.
Many stuff it, fry it, smother it in grandma's secret seasoning and pray that there are leftovers.
Others, instead, have taken a vow of meat celibacy and are looking for other options. While going vegan or vegetarian is good for the turkeys, it can put a damper on Thanksgiving, putting limits on the traditional consumption.
Although vegetarians can still enjoy all the delicious sides and desserts, vegans take their vow even further by eliminating all animal products from their diet. However, this doesn't mean they need to get rid of all the goodies.
At the Lexington Co-operative Market on Elmwood Avenue, these dedicated herbivores can get their fill of ready-to-take-home Thanksgiving goodness.
The market offers a few options to replace the bird. Customers can get as close to traditional as possible with tofurkey, or they may choose to sample the Quorn roast, which is also a popular alternative.
According to Joann Tomasulo, marketing and member services manager at the Lexington Co-operative Market, Quorn roast is made from a mushroom protein and is high in fiber, but low in fat.
Vegans turn the other cheek on dairy products and therefore have to miss out on most desserts. However, thanks to the Lexington Co-op, vegans can now purchase traditional Thanksgiving treats such as pumpkin and apple pie. According to Tomasulo, no chicken or cow is touched in the process of making the pies.
When there is pie, a scoop of ice cream is an enjoyable addition. Tomasulo suggests a popular coconut milk ice cream substitute that's still delicious and creamy without coming from an udder.
Going animal friendly doesn't mean that vegans must abandon their chef skills. There are plenty of recipes to create a delicious, animal friendly feast at home.
Debbie Mattice, assistant manager of prepared foods at the market, has some simple suggestions when it comes to making the important side dishes. For any recipe, the chef at home can substitute silken tofu for cream, tofutti for sour cream and soy yogurt for eggs.
Skimping on flavor is usually not an option, and so vegan chefs looking to keep the mashed potatoes tasting creamy can use soymilk or silken tofu and use olive oil instead of butter, Mattice said.
Some vegans might want to take the no-meat pledge a little further by adopting their feathered friends. At www.adoptaturkey.org anyone can either adopt a turkey, or help throw the turkeys a Thanksgiving celebration of their own, meatless of course.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
