The Thanksgiving table is set. An elaborate array of cranberries, yams and stuffing is arranged around the most important item on the table: a Tofu Turkey, the vegetarian solution to the Thanksgiving meal.
Tofu Turkey emerged in 1990 as a result of the dissatisfaction of Fresh Tofu Inc.'s owner, Gary Abramowitz, with Thanksgiving dinner. As a vegetarian, Abramowitz felt excluded from the excitement over the Thanksgiving turkey. In the past 10 years, Tofu Turkey has become a hot new trend at the Thanksgiving table.
A Tofu Turkey is a loaf of tofu in the shape of a turkey. It is made from soybean curd marinated in tamari sauce. Each Tofu Turkey weighs about one pound, significantly less than a real turkey. The main difference between a real turkey and a Tofu Turkey is the texture.
\I was interested in tasting Tofu Turkey,"" UW-Madison junior Mitchell Goltz said. ""But as a true meat lover, the Tofu Turkey lacked the juicy flavor of a real turkey. The texture just didn't suffice.""
Tofu is an important source of vitamins and minerals. The soy in tofu supplies the body with all eight essential amino acids. It contains no cholesterol, very little sodium and is low in fat. Eating soy foods such as tofu helps to prevent cancer and heart disease.
This Thanksgiving, think about adding a Tofu Turkey to the center of your holiday spread.
