If there’s one thing we love celebrating here at One Green Planet, it’s vegetables! On October 1st, the whole world joins us in the celebration because it’s World Vegetarian Day. If you’ve been thinking about going the veggie route, whether full-time or part-time, there’s no better time than right now to add more vegetables to your diet.
Most people know that vegetables are healthy and essential tooptimal healthbut some people still need convincing that veggies are downright delicious. If you could use a little encouragement to eat more vegetables, we are here to help. Maybe you eat the same vegetables all the time and it’s time to try some new ones, maybe someunder-appreciatedorless attractivevegetables.
Of course, we know that people will eat more vegetables if they taste good so we offer lots of tips and tricks for cooking them from how to cook the most delicious vegetables, the best way to cook vegetables for the most nutrition, and common mistakes to avoid when cooking. For recipes, check out Celebrate Eat Your Vegetables Day With 15 Veggie Dishes That Rock and #EatForThePlanet Every Day This Month With These 30 Easy Vegan Recipes. Then, join us in the celebration with these 25 recipes that are simply delicious!
1. Roasted Balsamic Veggie Rolls
Replace hot dogs with something much healthier with this delicious recipe for Roasted Balsamic Veggie Rolls. Fresh and flaky homemade buns make the perfect vessel for savory roasted chickpeas and a rainbow of vegetables – carrot, parsnip, asparagus, and greens. The maple-y tahini sauce ties everything together beautifully.
2. Szechuan Spiced Carrot Fettuccine
Who says pasta needs to be heavy? This Szechuan Spiced Carrot Fettuccine is light, vibrant, mouthwatering, spicy, flavorful, and energizing! The carrots are slightly crunchy and truly elevate in flavor when paired with the Szechuan sauce, veggies, and zesty tahini garlic paste. It’s a bowl of spicy goodness with some tomato ketchup added for tang and sweetness.
3. Bengali Jackfruit Kofta
These crispy and flavorful Bengali Koftas are made with jackfruit and potatoes. The gravy is a simple tomato base, thickened slightly with cashew or almond butter and a splash of cashew cream, if you feel a little indulgent. The koftas can be prepped and refrigerated the day before and can be fried just before serving.
4. Mini Eggplant Pizzas
These Mini Pizzas use eggplant as the crust instead of bread. They’re sliced and roasted into lightly crispy on the outside, but creamy in the inside, then topped with tomato sauce, mushrooms, and savory Italian herbs. While these are great for anyone, they’re especially good at ensuring that your kids get plenty of their daily veggies.
5. Sticky Chili Cauliflower Wings
These Sticky Chili Cauliflower Wings are just like the ones you’d get from a bar, except healthier because they’re made with cauliflower florets! Make the sauce with five simple ingredients, dip the florets in, and then bake to seal in the deliciousness. The rich orange flavor is enough to satisfy, but feel free to serve these with vegan Ranch or mayo, as well!
6. Lentil Bolognese Potato Bake
This delicious layered Lentil Bolognese Potato Bake includes a super yummy and hearty lentil Bolognese, potatoes, and a bit of eggplant. The seasoning and flavoring of this dish is what really makes it special. There’s red wine, sun-dried tomatoes, nutritional yeast, a variety of spices, and it’s all topped with a layer of vegan parmesan. This dish is so easy to put together just count in some extra time for the baking.
7. Heirloom Tomato Tartines
These simple, savory Heirloom Tomato Tartines bring out the best of their fresh ingredients. Garlicky, cheesy basil pine nut pesto sits atop a thick slice of ciabatta bread, followed by salted slices of heirloom tomato. It’s so good, you might just want to eat it as a sandwich.
8. Crispy Zucchini Pancakes
Go the savory route for your next breakfast with these Crispy Zucchini Pancakes. Made from chickpea flour, shredded zucchini, and seasoned with onion, garlic, and garam masala, these fritter-like pancakes are light enough to enjoy a stack but filling enough to keep you satisfied until lunch. Serve with a drizzle of Sriracha or a dollop of vegan mayo for a more refreshing take.
9. Parsnip and Mushroom Pot Pies
Fall is pot pie season and this Parsnip and Mushroom Pot Pie is definitely one to try. Underneath this thermal crust, you will discover chunky, yet soft vegetables packed with nutrition which will ensure the perfect balance with every mouthful! Specifically, these pies contain pan-fried parsnips, mushrooms, cauliflower, turmeric, onion, garlic, and peas. Yum!
10. Red Kuri Squash Soup with Cumin
Red kuri squash is a winter squash with an orange-pink color and a flavor akin to chestnuts. In this recipe for Red Kuri Squash Soup with Cumin, it’s roasted and pureed into a warming soup that’s thick and creamy. Serve this amazing soup on chilly days, with some fresh avocado toast on the side for dipping.
11. Choley Dingri Dopiaza: Chickpeas and Mushrooms in Caramelized Onion Curry
This dish, also called Choley Dingri Dopiaza, is a curry dish from Mughal that relies on slow-cooked onions as the base — in fact, “dopiaza” means “double onions.” Here, they’re cooked with chickpeas and woody Cremini mushrooms to make a hearty and wholesome curry. Unlike other curries, the gravy in this dish is lightly seasoned with the basics and it has delicate, sweet notes with a touch of smokiness from cumin and coriander.
12. Asian Cauliflower Sandwiches With Pickled Slaw
This Asian Cauliflower Sandwich With Pickled Slaw is battered, baked, crispy, and meaty. The sauce is sweet and savory with a hint of spicy. The pickled cucumber slaw is light, tart, colorful, crunchy, as is the perfect topping for this sandwich! In addition to all of the above, it packs a variety of colors, tons of veggies, is affordable, and is hands down a crowd pleaser! If you want to take your affinity for cauliflower next level, make this sandwich.
13. Chinese Cabbage Salad With Tofu and Spicy Peanut Dressing
If you’re looking for a salad that’s crunchy, savory, sweet, and with a little bit of heat, then you have to make this Chinese Cabbage Salad With Tofu and Spicy Peanut Dressing. It’s bright, colorful, practically effortless to throw together, and flavorful. The peanut dressing contains no added sugar with a burst of citrusy flavor from fresh orange and lime juice.
14. Pueblo Corn Pie
This Pueblo Corn Pie will become one of your family’s favorites. This layered casserole of cooked cornmeal topping a tasty bean chili is adapted from a Native American recipe. With beans, corn, and lots of bold spices, this dish will satisfy your taste buds and your tummy.
15. Fried Okra With Remoulade
If you love comfort foods, you have to make this Fried Okra With Remoulade. Crispy, crunchy bites of goodness that are perfect for dipping into a creamy, slightly spicy, tangy sauce. This is perfect for parties, barbecues, and just anytime in general.
16. Spicy Barbecue Cauliflower and Roasted Red Pepper Bocadillo
A bocadillo is type of Spanish sandwich, much like American subs. This Spicy Barbecue Cauliflower and Roasted Red Pepper Bocadillo is ideal for picnics, lunch, and dinner. Cauliflower steaks are dredged in flour and baked with red bell pepper until crispy, then they’re covered in barbecue sauce and baked again. The flavors of the barbecue cauliflower, roasted red pepper, and pickled vegan mayonnaise work perfectly together.
17. Indian Sweet Potato and Spinach Pie
Ready for some wholesome Indian comfort food? This Sweet Potato and Spinach Pie is flaky and fragranced with a delicious spice blend. Serve it with raita, an herby yogurt dip that pairs perfectly with the warm flavors of this dish.
18. Miso-Glazed Eggplant
This Miso-Glazed Eggplant dish has a beautiful simplicity and elegance but don’t worry, it’s very filling! The eggplant is tender and the sauce, made from tahini, garlic, lemon, and rice vinegar, is fresh and flavorful. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture.
19. Chickpea, Cauliflower, and Butternut Squash Curry
Delicious and fragrant, this Chickpea, Cauliflower, and Butternut Squash Curry is a wholesome meal! Vegetables are simmered in aromatic spices and coconut milk. When served with steamed rice and flatbread, it’s the perfect comfort food. Don’t be surprised if you sneak seconds or want to be the one who gets first dibs on leftovers.
20. Polenta Pesto Veggie Sandwich
This Polenta Pesto Veggie Sandwich is a nice change of pace if you’re tired of the typical veggie burgers available at the supermarket today. It’s not trying to emulate meat in the slightest, instead celebrating the various textures, flavors, and colors available right in the plant-based kingdom. You’ve got salty-sweet polenta, golden squash, bright, roasted tomatoes, and vibrant green pesto. Delicious, wholesome food!
21. Green Bean, Corn, and Squash Salad With Basil Dressing
This Green Bean, Corn, and Squash Salad With Basil Dressing is the perfect recipe for when you’re craving greens and you’re up to your knees in squash. The green beans and corn are given a quick blanch using a kettle of boiling water just to brighten the colors but keep the crunch. The garlicky, lemony basil dressing can act as a marinade if you have time to let the salad rest before serving. The toasted pine nuts add those creamy and rich notes, along with more crunch. Use whatever you have one hand or in the garden.
22. Mushroom Pizza With Creamy Cashew Cheese
Is there ever a wrong time for pizza? It’s good for lunch, dinner, and even breakfast the next day. This yummy Mushroom Pizza has a crispy homemade crust, an easy cashew cheese sauce, and a topping of savory mushroom. Add your favorite fresh herbs, a drizzle of truffle oil, or any other vegetable toppings you want.
23. Radicchio and Roasted Carrot Salad With Shallot Vinaigrette
Step outside of the box with this unique dish of Radicchio and Roasted Carrot Salad With Shallot Vinaigrette! This is a simple salad that pairs the slight bitterness of the radicchio and the sweetness of roasted carrots with a bright shallot-based vinaigrette. It’s vibrant, fresh, and a beautiful pop of color on any table.
24. Vegetables Manchurian
Vegetables Manchurian is a popular Indo-Chinese dish made from vegetable meatballs dipped in corn flour and then deep-fried and served in gravy. In this recipe, they’re fried, rather than deep-fried, with a thick, flavorful gravy spiced with ginger, garlic, and chilis. Serve this favorite dish with a side of fried rice.
25. Smoky Harissa Vegetable Tart
This crispy, Smoky Harissa Vegetable Tart is the perfect way to use up your fresh produce in a quick and easy dinner. It’s topped with tomato, zucchini, asparagus, bell pepper, and crunchy pine nuts with the addition of harissa, a North African paste. Harissa brings a smoky, woody depth of flavor along with a subtle hint of heat — perfect for a barbecue.
There’s no better time to add lots of healthy, colorful and delicious vegetables to your menu. With these amazing veggie-centric recipes, you’ll be filling your grocery cart with all thefresh produce you can!
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Lead image source: Roasted Balsamic Veggie Rolls
