Great Vegetarian Dishes To Make For World Vegetarian Day

October 1st is known as World Vegetarian Day, a day that celebrates the vegetarians and those who follow a vegetarian diet. It was started by the North American Vegetarian Society in 1977 and then in 1978, the International Vegetarian Union endorsed this day and made it official. As they say, it is “to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism”. And since half of India is vegetarian either by choice or by birth or because of their religion, this is a day that is important to the nation. While all vegetarians know the best dishes to make and how to make them taste better than anyone else does, this list of dishes is actually for the non-vegetarians to try and make something for themselves and for their vegetarian friends.

That’s not to say that vegetarians can’t use this list, it’s a list for everyone. A list of some great Indian and continental vegetarian dishes that you must try at least once!

There are so many soups to choose from and obviously they are a healthy option and a great starter. Whether you’re using mushrooms or broccoli, there’s a soup for everyone.

The great thing about salads is that they are loaded with vegetables, fibre and a combination of all your favourite things. Whatever it is you’re craving, you can toss it all together and eat it while it’s still crisp and fresh.

Most pasta is vegetarian, and really all you have to do is add or remove the non-vegetarian parts that are added. Pasta can be served simple with just some olive oil and a few capers and peppers, or it can be loaded up with the sauce of your choice and mixed with your favourite vegetables.

There’s no rule that pizza has to come with pepperoni. The good old fashioned Margherita is just tomato sauce and cheese, which works as a great vegetarian pizza. Whatever you’re in the mood for, add that to your toppings and you’re set.

Pick your potato poison – French fries, wedges, spicy potato fingers, jacket potatoes. Anything with potatoes is a solid meal. It’s tasty, it’s got fibre and starch and it goes well with literally anything. It can be dry, it can have a gravy, whatever you’re doing with your potatoes, you can enjoy it.

In India, vegetarian dishes on a menu are filled with paneer based dishes. Like potatoes, you can do pretty much anything with paneer. Don’t want to a chicken curry with your rice, follow the same recipe just switch it up with paneer instead and you’re good to go.

Strangely enough, eggplant isn’t much of a favourite vegetable for people around the world. But it’s one of those few vegetables that turns out really well when cooked nicely and mixed up with a gravy or yogurt. Seriously, give it a try.