True Harvest: A Vegetarian Thanksgiving MenuA vegetarian chef explores the tradition of the meat-free Thanksgiving

In the story True Harvest in Issue #142, vegetarian chef Linda Monastra explores the tradition of the meat-free Thanksgiving recipes, and hosts her first completely meatless meal. Though planning a menu that embodied Thanksgiving's ideals of sharing and gratitude without the holiday bird that symbolises it all was a challenge, the resulting menu was a resounding success: "...We sat down at the table laden with dish upon meat-free dish. The buzz of conversation lapsed into satisfied murmurs as our guests tucked into their food. I watched my crowd dig happily into all of the Thanksgiving recipes—the vegetable patties and the cranberry chutney, the tempeh and the pilaf and the gratin, and felt the warmth of the occasion. Even without the bird, the meal was complete." For this menu it's beer, not wine, that will pair best with each course. It cuts through all the spices, and it, too, has historical significance: The Pilgrims carried ale with them from England and made the decision to land at Plymouth Rock due to "our victuals being much spent, especially our beer," as one Mayflower diary noted. For pairing notes with these Thanksgiving recipes, see Party Like the Pilgrims.

Honey and Herb Biscuits
Honey and Herb Biscuits

Instead of plain dinner rolls, we like to serve these fluffy biscuits, fragrant with rosemary and thyme.

Winter Squash and Apple Soup
Winter Squash and Apple Soup

A garnish of fried mushrooms and a drizzle of spiced mint butter adds elegance to a simple pureed vegetable soup.

Peas with Orange and Mint
Peas with Orange and Mint

Fresh orange juice and plenty of mint enliven ordinary frozen peas. Get the recipe for Peas with Orange and Mint »

Potato and Rutabaga Gratin
Potato and Rutabaga Gratin

Earthy rutabagas and aged Gruyere add intrigue to a classic potato gratin. Get the recipe for Potato and Rutabaga Gratin »

Wheat Berry Pilaf
Spiced Wheat Berry Pilaf

Eastern spices like cumin and cardamom bring bright notes to this earthy, pleasantly chewy pilaf. Get the recipe for Spiced Wheat Berry Pilaf »

Apple Cider-Cinnamon Ice Cream
Apple Cider-Cinnamon Ice Cream

A spiced, autumnal ice cream that tastes like the essence of apple season. Get the recipe for Apple Cider-Cinnamon Ice Cream »

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust

The dessert’s delicate texture is achieved by cooking the cheesecake in a bain-marie, a water bath made by surrounding the springform pan with boiling water. Both the desserts need to be made at least a day before serving, and the ice cream can be made up to a week before serving.To save yourself more time on Thanksgiving day, you can also make the soup and the chutney up to two days ahead. Get the recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust »

Honey and Herb Biscuits
TODD COLEMAN
Recipes

True Harvest: A Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu

A vegetarian chef explores the tradition of the meat-free Thanksgiving

By SAVEUR Editors


Published on October 25, 2016

In the story True Harvest in Issue #142, vegetarian chef Linda Monastra explores the tradition of the meat-free Thanksgiving recipes, and hosts her first completely meatless meal. Though planning a menu that embodied Thanksgiving's ideals of sharing and gratitude without the holiday bird that symbolises it all was a challenge, the resulting menu was a resounding success: "...We sat down at the table laden with dish upon meat-free dish. The buzz of conversation lapsed into satisfied murmurs as our guests tucked into their food. I watched my crowd dig happily into all of the Thanksgiving recipes—the vegetable patties and the cranberry chutney, the tempeh and the pilaf and the gratin, and felt the warmth of the occasion. Even without the bird, the meal was complete." For this menu it's beer, not wine, that will pair best with each course. It cuts through all the spices, and it, too, has historical significance: The Pilgrims carried ale with them from England and made the decision to land at Plymouth Rock due to "our victuals being much spent, especially our beer," as one Mayflower diary noted. For pairing notes with these Thanksgiving recipes, see Party Like the Pilgrims.

Honey and Herb Biscuits
Honey and Herb Biscuits

Instead of plain dinner rolls, we like to serve these fluffy biscuits, fragrant with rosemary and thyme.

Winter Squash and Apple Soup
Winter Squash and Apple Soup

A garnish of fried mushrooms and a drizzle of spiced mint butter adds elegance to a simple pureed vegetable soup.

Peas with Orange and Mint
Peas with Orange and Mint

Fresh orange juice and plenty of mint enliven ordinary frozen peas. Get the recipe for Peas with Orange and Mint »

Potato and Rutabaga Gratin
Potato and Rutabaga Gratin

Earthy rutabagas and aged Gruyere add intrigue to a classic potato gratin. Get the recipe for Potato and Rutabaga Gratin »

Wheat Berry Pilaf
Spiced Wheat Berry Pilaf

Eastern spices like cumin and cardamom bring bright notes to this earthy, pleasantly chewy pilaf. Get the recipe for Spiced Wheat Berry Pilaf »

Apple Cider-Cinnamon Ice Cream
Apple Cider-Cinnamon Ice Cream

A spiced, autumnal ice cream that tastes like the essence of apple season. Get the recipe for Apple Cider-Cinnamon Ice Cream »

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust

The dessert’s delicate texture is achieved by cooking the cheesecake in a bain-marie, a water bath made by surrounding the springform pan with boiling water. Both the desserts need to be made at least a day before serving, and the ice cream can be made up to a week before serving.To save yourself more time on Thanksgiving day, you can also make the soup and the chutney up to two days ahead. Get the recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap and Hazelnut Crust »

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