Back in March, we didn’t anticipate still being in a pandemic by the holidays, and we didn’t anticipate having to say “no” to gathering with our loved ones. As we continue to make safe choices for ourselves and our communities, we’re left with a challenge. How we can feel the spirit of upcoming holidays by ourselves?

Jewish tradition calls us to ritual and food. Thanksgiving, like many holidays, is an experience of ritual filled with food. This year’s ritual involves far fewer people, far fewer arguments around the table, and more food that you want! Grab your apron and set your oven for some vegan and vegetarian recipes the Hive team shared to make a unique, delicious meal at home.

Appetizer

Pumpkin Challah from WhatJewWannaEat: This scrumptious and aromatic challah radiates fall vibes (much like Thanksgiving) and could be the perfect starter to the meal. Since Shabbat will take place the next day, this gives you a chance to prepare ahead of time as challah could take several hours to make from start to finish. If you enjoy cranberry sauce during your Thanksgiving meal, this would be a wonderful spread. Click here for vegan egg substitutes. You can also use coconut oil as egg wash to brush the challah.

Main Course and Sides

Roasted Whole Cauliflower with Vegan Gravy via Karissas Vegan Kitchen: Cauliflower is one of the most versatile vegetables, used for an array of different dishes from entrees to sides to appetizers. Roasting a whole head is easy and can be a beautiful addition to your meal with its presentation and flavor. This recipe roasts it with potatoes and carrots, rounding off a full meal by itself.

Mashed Cauliflower via Gnom Gnom (with dairy): Delicious and keto-friendly, this mashed cauliflower is a great side to any meal! You may not even need gravy with its incredible brown butter sauce.

Vegetable Kugel with Carmelized Leeks via WhatJewWannaEat: We’ve seen Passover compared to Thanksgiving due to its focus on family, tradition, gathering and food. It makes sense that one of our favorite Passover sides would make it on this list. This rooted, hearty side is perfect for the occasion and would complement the roasted cauliflower head wonderfully.

Rainbow Israeli Salad via Tori Avey: This colorful, easy-to-make dish will add a flavorful vibrance to your household’s table. It pairs well with almost any dish and will provide a refreshing balance to the tastes of your Thanksgiving.

Bonus! Vegetarian Crockpot Stuffing via ShowMeTheYummy: We couldn’t make Thanksgiving and not include stuffing! A staple at every Thanksgiving meal, it usually requires a hands-on approach. This one-pot dish requires little prep time, giving you more time to make your other dishes as it cooks itself in the crockpot. This recipe calls for butter, but try Miyoko’s vegan butter as a substitute.

Dessert

Sweet Potato Brownie Bites (vegan + gluten free) via EatingBirdFood: These easy and quick brownie treats are a great way to include a veggie with a delicious dessert. If you’re looking for a lighter finish to your meal, these are a great addition to table!

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Oat Streusel via AmbitiousKitchen: While this dish can technically be a side to the meal, it also would serve well as a warm dessert to end the night. Sweet potato sweetened with maple and topped with pecan oatmeal crumbles? Sign us up!

While this year’s holiday looks much different, we hope that this list inspires you to cook a nice meal for yourself or immediate loved ones to continue the tradition of giving gratitude for what you have and sharing that gratitude with your household. The Hive wishes you a wonderful holiday.