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Beyond Tofurkey: More Options For Vegetarians This Thanksgiving

Courtesy Dianne Waltner

This Thanksgiving, vegans and vegetarians in Wichita are finding savory alternatives to turkey.

Local vegetarian and vegan expert Dianne Waltner hasn't eaten meat in more than 25 years. Waltner says tofurkey, instead of turkey, is an old standby that she likes--but some don’t. She says other options include a holiday plant-based roast that comes with gravy, as well as a cranberry-hazelnut roast in a puff pastry.

Credit Courtesty Dianne Waltner
Vegan/vegetarian expert Dianne Waltner visits a cow rescued by Colorado's Peaceful Prairie Farmed Animal Sanctuary.

"That is really wonderful!" she says. "That's one that we are going to be having for Thanksgiving."

Waltner will also serve a new forager roast with mushrooms and huckleberries, plus vegan cheese, for the holidays.

Credit Courtesy
Will Tuttle

"When I first went vegan and I first went vegetarian, I have to admit that most of the vegan cheese was virtually inedible, so that has changed a lot," she says. "The market for vegan products is just exploding, and there’s some really really good options."

Waltner also organizes a monthly vegetarian meetup in Wichita. On Friday, educator and best-selling author Will Tuttle will speak on being healthy and saving the planet. Meat eaters are welcome to join.

Friday's event takes place at 1st Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita, located at 7202 E 21st Street. Doors open at 6 p.m.

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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.

To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.

Carla Eckels is Director of Organizational Culture at KMUW. She produces and hosts the R&B and gospel show Soulsations and brings stories of race and culture to The Range with the monthly segment In the Mix. Carla was inducted into The Kansas African American Museum's Trailblazers Hall of Fame in 2020 for her work in broadcast/journalism.