Growing up with a vegan chef (my mother), I’ve had the most wonderful vegetarian Thanksgiving experiences.  She'd load the table with creative dishes made from seasonal fruits and veggies, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. We’ve put together vegetarian (and even some vegan) options for Thanksgiving day — and you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy them.

• Dana’s Butternut Squash Soup*

• Eggplant Caviar*
• Pecorino Romano with Apples and Fig Jam
• Polenta Squares with Mushroom Ragu

• Tempeh Pepper Steak*
• Slow Cooker Squash Stew
• Vegetarian Chili

• Healthy Green Bean Casserole*
• Oven-Roasted Red Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic*
• Spicy Swiss Chard and Beans*

• Winter Fruit Salad*
• Pear Tart*
• Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Bobby Flay’s Mulled Cider*
• Sparkling Wine Sangria (Sangria de Cava)*

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian and consultant who specializes in food safety and culinary nutrition. See Toby's full bio »

You Might Also Like:

• Photos: In-Season Root Veggies
• Dana's Celery Root Salad
• Parsnips 5 Ways
• In Season: Sweet Potatoes