Thanksgiving is a holiday that falls on the fourth Thursday of November and consists of eating many different foods, including turkey. However, what do vegetarians and vegans usually eat during Thanksgiving if they can not have turkey, and what are their opinions on this holiday? 

“I think the best way to give thanks to the Earth is to respect its inhabitants, not kill them for a meal, and instead celebrate harvest season with dishes that showcase how versatile and delicious vegetables are,” FHS substitute teacher Jasmine Martin-Partovi said. 

Normally, the food that is eaten during the traditional Thanksgiving feast is turkey, but for vegans and vegetarians, the food can differ due to the fact that they do not eat meat. But, turkey substitutes have evolved over the years. For starters, the usual thing vegetarians and vegans would eat is produce such as peas, beans, squash and flint corn. 

“Lots of side dishes are easy to make vegan because they’re vegetable-based, except mac and cheese, I’m convinced we will never have good vegan mac and cheese, I’ve had to accept it,” Martin-Partovi said. 

Another thing people eat during Thanksgiving if they can not have turkey is tofu. But, why do people decide to avoid meat and how does it affect them during Thanksgiving? 

“I became vegan about seven years ago,” Martin-Partovi said. “At the time it was about compassion, but I soon learned about all the environmental effects of the meat industry and realized how grateful I was not to be contributing to the pollution created by animal agriculture. Believing in animal rights is still a large part of it though. I really just don’t want my body to be a graveyard, I love animals way too much to imagine them suffering for what basically amounts to entertainment.” 

A lack of eating meat does not greatly affect people’s daily lives because they tend to find good alternatives to the food they can not have. Another substitute is crispy kabocha squash fritters or flavor-packed caramelized onion dip. 

The popularity of turkey during Thanksgiving makes one wonder how vegetarians and vegans cope with this. Martin-Partovi describes her opinion on turkey. 

“Definitely not, I never really liked it, turkey is pretty dry anyway,” she said. 

There are many good substitutes for turkey, such as whole roasted cauliflower, zucchini verde enchiladas, vegan lasagna with roasted vegetables, nutty veggie burgers, coconut chile braised winter squash and Field Roast celebration roast — a plant-based meat and cheese company that sells soy-free holiday roasts. With all these options, everyone will be able to enjoy a good meal on Thanksgiving, no matter their dietary restrictions.