No Turkey Day
As Americans nationwide look forward to our annual holiday devoted to overeating that is informally known as Turkey Day, what sort of meal can those of us who follow a plant-based diet feast upon?
Whether opting for traditional dishes, such as corn on the cob, Stove Top stuffing, and cranberry sauce, or something that rewrites the holiday menu completely, abandoning a meat-based meal plan will add a taste of culinary adventure to your celebration that can be hearty, satisfying, and delicious, not to mention give turkeys something to be thankful for, too.
Rebecca Deubell, a certified local chocolatier, as well as a pâtissier at the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen in the French Quarter, said that for the big holiday meals, she leaves the menu planning to others.
"I tend to bake for Thanksgiving and not cook as I often am blessed with an invite, and my hosts enjoy taking up the challenge of feeding me," Deubell said. "Over the years, I've had the pleasure of being treated to tofu adobo (a vegan version of a classic Filipino dish, consisting of tofu cooked in a sweet tangy sauce with a vinegar base), coconut sweet potatoes, stuffed winter squash, and red beans, to name a few."
No doubt Deubell never lacks for dinner invitations, because she can be relied on to bring a jaw-dropping dessert since she's also the operator of Deux Belle Vegan Pastry and Confections. Her dessert catering service offers special products for the holidays, as well, including artisan chocolate boxes for Halloween and Christmas. All the stops are pulled out for Thanksgiving, and the desserts on offer include pumpkin cheesecake with coconut caramel and candied pecans, as well as a pumpkin cake with rum buttercream.
"I bake an apple pie most years and then walk the bayou to Easton Park for the Human Horse Races," Deubell said, referring to a local fundraiser to benefit horse sanctuaries that's been held annually on Thanksgiving since 2019. "Last year, we baked vegan treats—brownies, cookies, and nut brittle—for the VIP tent." The veteran baker is not averse to providing a sumptuous savory dish, either. "I'd love to tackle a vegetable pot pie," she said.
Deubell's advice to anyone trying to create a vegan Thanksgiving meal is to build on a full menu over several years, try out your recipes, and prep ahead of time to reduce stress. If you're an experienced cook, make a day of it and test out a few dishes on friends and family over a couple bottles of wine. If, like Deubell, you're a vegan going to the home of friends and family who don't have plant-based diets, she suggests taking the opportunity to outreach with a vegan dish or dessert.
Other vegans attending the Human Horse Races, which are foot races between people in horse costumes with human riders, will be able to find more than desserts available to eat. Tanjariné Kitchen, one of the many vendors selling food or art at the races, is a popular favorite at the event, according to its founder Ingrid Anderson. The food truck serves up vibrant, African-inspired, plant-based dishes including steamed beans pudding and mushroom palm oil stew that even the most dedicated carnivores love, along with sides and snacks such as fried plantains and vegan jerky. "Their highlighted dish is their Mandela burger, which is a bean-based burger," Anderson said, adding that the plant-based burgers are as big a hit with omnivores as they are with vegans.
While it's not a strictly vegan event, the organizer said that they're proud to be vegan-friendly. "Years ago, I'd spend Thanksgiving at the racetrack," Anderson recalled. "Not for the races, but for the fashion, the mingling, and the spectacle. One year, a vegan friend refused to go because of the racing, and I realized there was no alternative event with the same energy. That's when the lightbulb went off: Why not create a playful parody where people dress as the horses and race each other? I'm passionate about taking that opportunity of getting so many people together in one place to raise money or awareness for a good cause. It made total sense to make this event a fundraiser to help horses in Louisiana."
Anderson is not vegan or vegetarian, but has some commonality with those who follow a plant-based diet, having a lot of dietary restrictions including prohibitions of dairy and gluten. The artist and activist understands the importance of planning a menu for specialized diets and is devoted to creating an inclusive, vegan-friendly event so everyone can celebrate together.
"These days, my Thanksgiving table is the Human Horse Races—we're cooking up an entire event instead of a meal," Anderson quipped. "But if I were hosting a vegan holiday, I'd focus on dishes that feel just as abundant and celebratory as a traditional spread. Think roasted root vegetables with herbs, a colorful stuffed squash as the centerpiece, and decadent sides like vegan mac 'n' cheese or mushroom gravy over fluffy mashed potatoes. Finish it all with a spiced pumpkin pie or apple crumble, and you've got a feast everyone, vegan or not, will want seconds of."
The Sixth Annual Human Horse Races will take place on November 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Easton Park, located at 3141 Toulouse St. in Mid-City. It will benefit Greeno Equine Sanctuary in LeBlanc, LA. A musical performance by the Dapper Dandies is planned.
