Have a very veggie Christmas

Christmas is once again upon us, and while carnivores rejoice at the thought of turkey and all the trimmings, the vegetarians of the world prepare themselves for another festive season of mediocre nut roasts.

But it doesn’t have to be that way – winter offers up an amazing array of seasonal veg to brighten up the Christmas table, and we’ve rounded up a selection of stunning recipes to keep any festive food envy at bay.

PARTY FOOD FOR ALL

When the nights are dark and the weather is gloomy, there’s nothing more lovely than hosting a cosy mulled wine party. And what’s a party without veggie-friendly nibbles?

Serving up a whole baked cheese is a deliciously decadent way to kick off the festive season, and this video shows you how to make the perfect gooey melted Camembert. Flavoured with fresh rosemary and garlic, this delightful dish is can be scooped up on to chunks of toasted bread or crunchy veg batons. Or, for extra festive flavour, try serving with sour cranberries and crushed nuts.

For more picky party food, try these perfectly crispy and light baked samosas and light ricotta fritters. Alternatively, you could serve up a platter of crostinis smothered in pea and broad bean purée with pecorino.

MEAT-FREE MAINS

When it comes to Christmas dinner itself, there are loads of cracking recipes that aren’t just great for vegetarians, but for meat-eaters too. For pure indulgence, try scrapping the traditional roast entirely in favour of sticky, roasted veggies on creamy polenta, served with a wild mushroom sauce and horseradish crème fraîche.

If you’re a fan of all the traditional trimmings, this mushroom and squash vegetarian Wellington will make a superb addition. Trust us – it's a cracker!

NEXT-LEVEL NUT ROAST

And how could we write up a whole feature on a very veggie Christmas without a shout-out for the humble nut roast?! We've got cracking vegetarian and vegan versions.

If you're after something a bit more exotic, this incredible Persian squash and pistachio nut roast hits the nail on the head.

PERFECT PUDDINGS

Now to to indulgent, veggie-friendly, suet-free festive puds. Jamie’s gorgeous Christmas tiramisu is a great alternative to a traditional Christmas pud.

Then on to the unofficial fourth course – chocolate! Dairy-free truffles are perfect for after dinner – make them beforehand, then pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.

And that’s how you have a very veggie, very indulgent and very delicious Christmas!