The Meatless Monday Thanksgiving Project -- 12 All-Star Recipes

In these shifting political times, duplicity, more than ever, seems the norm. That's why I thought it would be fun to turn this negative on its head -- and do a little project highlighting the double meaning of something a little tastier: Thanksgiving.

I'm talking about Thanksgiving food, and the things in our life that we're thankful for.

So I reached out to friends, experts and visionaries -- people who really know their food. My double-question: what's your favorite meatless Thanksgiving dish, and what are you really thankful for?

Take a look at the answers of celebrity chefs such as Mario Batali and Katie Lee; legendary cookbook authors like Mollie Katzen and Martha Rose Shulman; and renowned food thinkers such as Rodale Inc. CEO Maria Rodale and Slow Food USA President Josh Viertel, among others.

Then join the fun and add your own favorite Thanksgiving recipe and thanks in the Comments below!

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Mario Batali

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Aracine

This delicious Aracine recipe from the region of Sicilia is also available on my first ever app: MarioCooks!

View Recipe Here

What I'm most thankful for? That's easy: my family!

Photo credit: Melanie Dunes

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Aracine

This delicious Aracine recipe from the region of Sicilia is also available on my first ever app: MarioCooks!

View Recipe Here

What I'm most thankful for? That's easy: my family!

Photo credit: Melanie Dunes

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Comments

[hstslc]

11:51 AM on 12/15/2010

Thank you for the post! I only wish I'd seen this before Thanksgiving. At least I've got some good meatless ideas for Christmas dinner now. Time to bust out the kitchen utensils!

http://www.gadgettree.com

[Lisa Quattlebaum Noels]

07:41 AM on 11/25/2010

Growing up, I never liked turkey so I have been eating just the "sides" since I can remember. My mom (a huge influence in my eating and cooking styles) often made at least one non-traditional dish during Thanksgiving to honor and show gratitude to the multi-culturalism of our community. This year I'm making this Japanese Carrot soup in addition to the usuals - since I now live in Japan, it especially makes sense. http://www.barefootinherkitchen.com/2010/03/better-to-see-you-with-my-dear.html
and check out the pumpkin report - you can make more than a lantern and pie with them!
http://www.barefootinherkitchen.com/2010/10/much-ado-about-pumpkins.html
Happy Thanksgiving,
BIHK

[Nina Vecchi]

01:26 PM on 11/24/2010

I think the picture of Mario Batali is a mockery and should be removed from this article.

[ColleenLevine]

01:05 PM on 11/24/2010

These honey-thyme roasted root vegetables would be right at home on a vegetarian buffet: http://foodietots.com/2010/11/19/best-ever-roasted-turnip-thanksgiving-side-dish/

[vicki972]

10:55 AM on 11/23/2010

If you have delicious sides that are extra filling, then you don't even need the turkey! This Butternut Squash and Pumpkin Risotto is ridiculously simple and will definitely fill you up. No need for meat!

http://www.funnyspoon.com/recipes.php?id=885

[sabelmouse]

08:03 AM on 11/23/2010

i wish that corn pudding was a proper recipe. i don't get those things over here nor would i like to use them.
how about from scratch.

[Democracy is Delicious]

01:27 AM on 11/23/2010

Thanksgiving day is a distant memory here in Canada, but thankfully I have cousins in NY to share it with! Here is my favorite brussel sprout recipe that is an excellent addition to any Thanksgiving menu.

http://democracyisdelicious.blogspot.com/2010/11/meatless-monday-banging-brussel-sprouts.html

[shescookin]

12:21 AM on 11/23/2010

How about a fresh take on that ubiquitous green bean casserole from the 50's - no more mushroom soup or fried onion topping! http://shescookin.com/2010/11/22/fresh-take-on-green-bean-casserole/

[Singing Sparrow]

11:40 AM on 11/26/2010

Well!!!! Thank you. One of the biggest shocks of my life was being served the monster green bean casserole one Thanksgiving right here in the SF Bay Area. I thought that I had escaped all such recipes when I migrated from Kansas to the Bay Area (contrary to myth farm wives in our times do not cook from "scratch"-they "don't have the time" and further more have had to do too much cooking during harvest times,etc.). I loathe the mushroom soup/canned green bean recipe but I may try this for Christmas to tweak the family.

[thrugreeneyez]

11:37 PM on 11/22/2010

Stuffed pumpkin- I make a traditional bread crumb stuffing and stuff a large organic pumpkin and bake it. When you scoop out the stuffing, you can scoop out some of the pumpkin as well. Delicious and a beautiful presentation.

[mssreader]

02:59 PM on 11/23/2010

thrugreen, not that sounds wonderful. I do a stuffed acorn squash with a similiar bread dressing with spices and Brazil nuts which I love. I've done it with meatless "sausage" but not anymore. This will be my 41st meatless thanksgiving and I just eat everything except the turkey and gravy and I'm just fine unless I'm cooking at home when I'll do a pumpkin soup or the stuffed acorn squash. I'm just fine and have never missed eating the turkey. Since I've been on the plant based diet for 7 years I don't do pumpkin pie either unless I make it myself with soymilk and no eggs. I always add an extra veggie or two. No problem.

[theveggiequeen]

10:46 PM on 11/22/2010

I am always responsible for bringing the vegetables and vegetarian dishes for Thanksgiving so that I have something to eat. My favorite main dish has to be the Fruited Wild Rice that I make and stuff into delicata squash halves. Any squash, small or large, will work. The wild rice filling makes an amazing breakfast the next day, if there's any left. http://bit.ly/aPRQYv

[whattastyfood]

06:54 PM on 11/22/2010

New favorite to be served on Thanksgiving: Easy Pumpkin Custard
http://www.whattastyfood.com/2010/10/easy-pumpkin-custard.html

[SpoonPlayer]

06:42 PM on 11/22/2010

My centerpiece is usually a stuffed squash but one of my all-time favorite vegan thanksgiving day recipes is "Root Vegetable & White Bean Cassoulet" that is made in the crockpot.

The root vegetables are so sweet when cooked for a long time like this, and the herbs make the house smell so nice, but best of all it frees up precious stovetop and oven space and can easily be put together in advance. I've done it three years in a row and I think that means its a keeper.

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/9231?section=

[sabelmouse]

08:15 AM on 11/23/2010

i love this kind of winter dish.

[mssreader]

03:01 PM on 11/23/2010

Spoonplayer, this sounds delicious. I shall be trying this one soon.
thanks for recipe.......

[Big Girls, Small Kitchen]

05:04 PM on 11/22/2010

Check out this Meatless Thanksgiving main course from Big Girls, Small Kitchen: Portobello Mushrooms with Parmesan-Herb Stuffing. You won't miss the bird :)

[Big Girls, Small Kitchen]

05:05 PM on 11/22/2010

whoops--here is the link!

http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/2010/11/big-girls-test-kitchen-turkey-day.html

[EthneClarke]

04:34 PM on 11/22/2010

Succulent roast root vegetables tossed in olive oil and rosemary. Baked squash. Gratin of pears and sweet potatoes, Wild rice with cranberries and apricots. Stuffing made with roasted chestnuts. With a vivid assortment of what are traditional considered "side dishes" served up as the main course, who'll miss the turkey? At Organic Gardening's Thanksgiving table we'd rather look at the turkey strutting around the garden, than congealing on the meat platter.
Gobble Gobble.

[sabelmouse]

08:04 AM on 11/23/2010

sounds good. gratin of sweet potatoes and pear. recipe?

[dsw70]

04:03 PM on 11/22/2010

Every since my mother's boyfriend decided to smoke the turkey every single Thanksgiving and Christmas, I've been enjoying meatless holidays for years. I'll have the sides and dessert, please. Thank you.