Vegetarian Easter

Posted by Jill Harris Mar 22, 2008

Easter is nearly here! As I've been planning my own contribution to our family's buffet-style dinner I've realized how Easter is different from other holidays - the focus is on the dessert! To that end, I've posted an article about Vegetarian and Vegan Easter Celebrations to help you navigate through Easter food choices.

Unlike Christmas or Thanksgiving, Easter doesn't seem to have a lot of strong food ties for most people. Some cultures have their own traditional menus. I spoke to a Polish grandmother who identified four or five meats that are usually served at a single Easter meal. So breaking tradition will be essential for some vegetarians. Easter menus usually focus on either winter vegetables that are still available, spring vegetables if they are available, savoury herbs like sage and rosemary, and colourful dishes that celebrate the coming of spring.

Need some menu ideas? For a vegetarian celebration, try:

• Fried egg tofu appetizers or vegetarian antipasto
• Fresh vegetables (especially good if you can cut radishes to look like flowers and carrots to look like bunnies)
• Tomato-Cucumber Salad
• Turnip to celebrate the end of winter
• Unrolled cabbage
• and fruit salad for dessert.

Of course, save room for some chocolate. Vegan dark chocolate shavings make ice cream or vegan pudding more festive. If strawberries are available, the simple chocolate-dipped berry is a special treat.