Mangia! Italian Food Goes Vegan

If there’s a food you love, there’s probably a holiday that honors it. National Italian Food Day, for example, is celebrated this month! (As if we needed more reasons to enjoy some of the most delicious and comforting foods we know.) As I think about the days set aside to celebrate foods like grilled cheese, donuts, sticky buns and hot dogs, it thrills me to know that many of our favorite foods can be made compassionately, if we just use a little creativity. So in honor of National Italian Food Day, let’s dig into some vegan versions of our favorite dishes that are chock full of flavor, authenticity and compassion. Sausage and Pepper Calzones are even better when they’re vegan. Good to eat and good for you, give these a try for a relaxed weekend dinner get-together.     Like pillows from heaven, these Baked Potato Gnocchi are both humble and exquisite. Easy to make with just a few ingredients!     With onions, peppers and all the right herbs and spices, Tempeh & Peppers are a compassionate replacement for traditional (and unhealthy!) Sausage & Peppers.   Our Eggplant Rollatini is stuffed with easy-to-make cashew ricotta cheese and sits atop a bed of sautéed Swiss chard.     There’s no better time to be in the kitchen than on a lazy Sunday afternoon when you can make this outrageous Butternut Squash Ravioli.   Where’s the beef? Who cares when you can make hearty, delicious Wheatballs with wheat instead of meat? Oat and Lentil Meatballs are a gluten-free remix of our Wheatballs. Equally tasty and satisfying on top of pasta or on a sub.   Once you’ve made your own Fresh Pasta Dough, you may never go back. With only a few ingredients and a few minutes, you can have homemade pasta.     For a new twist on traditional basil pesto, try hearty Spinach & Sage Pesto or Broccoli, Spinach and Hemp Seed Pesto. Both add a flavor and nutrition punch to any meal.   Our Hearty Tomato Sauce gets a boost of nutrition from a secret ingredient. (Spoiler alert: it’s chick peas!)     Looking for a simple side dish with an Italian flair? Try our Roasted Broccoli and Garlic, so simple and delicious, you’ll want to make a double batch.     Soup’s on! Tuscan Bean, Fennel & Sausage Soup uses a vegan brand of sausage to ramp up the taste, texture and heartiness of this soup.   Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite treats. Real Deal Vegan Cannoli look and taste like their traditional counterpart, but are made without dairy…and tofu.   What’s an Italian meal without a cup of espresso and a cookie to dunk it in? Try our Cherry Pistachio Biscotti.     So celebrate Italian Food Day any day of the year, with compassion and creativity!