A Meatless Holiday Season
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Posted by Jill Harris Dec 5, 2007 |
Thanksgiving has passed, but for many the most indulgent time of year is upon us. If you are an omnivore, you may not have considered having a meat-free holiday celebration – after all, you need a centrepiece, right?
Wrong. Though there are plenty of vegetarian dishes that make flashy centrepieces (think stuffed vegetables like pumpkin or squash, a lentil loaf or “Tofurky”), holiday meals can be just as meaningful without main dish meat. And just because you choose to forgo the 8-hour turkey cooking marathon doesn’t mean the meal won’t be memorable – you’ll have even more time to create lavish side dishes, or even to put your feet up.
Why would a turkey-lover trade in their bird for a faux one? For one, turkeys often live in squalid conditions without room to roost or graze naturally. They are bread with one purpose – to produce meat, and their grossly oversized chests can attest to that.
Secondly, the sauces and crispy skin of turkey are not the most nutritious, compared to vegetables and legumes. I know – who’s thinking about nutrition around the holidays? So let’s just say that you can find the same flavours in meat-free dishes as in the turkey – what about harvest stuffed squash seasoned with sage and thyme?
As a bonus, you won’t be so lethargic after your meal, and you might just be able to save some room for dessert!
To read more about turkey, food safety, and nutrition, try PCRM's