I’m sure people expect vegan recipes, but realistically, I don’t have any in mind right now. Instead, I can share my experience being vegan on Thanksgiving.
I don’t really participate in Thanksgiving as a political statement. We all know Thanksgiving is the colonizers’ holiday. Nonetheless, I still use it to reconnect with my family. Of course, as a vegan, my eating decisions receive mixed responses. Of course, I have the random uncle that tells me to “just eat a steak.” I appreciate the compassionate grandma who makes me lentil soup and pulls out the Sriracha (a vegan staple).
While my dietary decisions may be foreign to most, most Thanksgiving sides can be modified to accommodate someone with a plant-based diet.
So what can a vegan eat on Thanksgiving?
- Hassleback Squash- Cut little slits all in half of a butternut squash, douse in olive oil, place bay leaves in between slits, make a sweet vegan butter and brown sugar glaze to apply halfway through.
- Green Beans- Just make sure you don’t use butter
- Mixed Roasted Vegetables- Cut up random vegetables, salt, pepper, olive oil, and roast
- Bread- Just fill up on carbs
- Cranberry Sauce- The Ocean Spray one is vegan!
- Tofurkey- I’ve never had it but I’m sure it’s alright
Whether you agree with the story of Thanksgiving or not, we all need to eat. I encourage people to eat more plant based and cruelty-free meals and skip the bird this year.