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Meatless Christmas dinner options popular in Victoria

The Very Good Butcher has already sold 1,000 ‘stuffed beast’ roasts
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The ‘Stuffed Beast’ from Victoria’s Very Good Butchers is one of the popular non-meat options people are having for Christmas. (The Very Good Butchers)

Grocery stores are stuffed as shoppers buy last second ingredients for Christmas dinner, but more people are looking for plant-based options.

In an online poll from Black Press, 60 per cent of people said they were having turkey for dinner, and 14 per cent were having ham, but nearly 25 per cent of people went for ‘other.’

While annually Canadians eat 3.3 million whole turkeys this time of year, more and more vegetarian and vegan options are popping up.

This year alone, Victoria’s “Vegmas” dinner sold out on Dec. 9.

ALSO READ: Is your beer vegan? Vancouver Island Brewing also going kosher

For those planning ahead for next week there are local and fresh options other than “tofurkey.”

At The Very Good Butchers at 1701 Douglas St., for example, pre-orders for their “Stuffed Beast” have sold out.

“It’s the biggest thing we have this time of year,” said sales representative Danny Eberhardt. “It’s an analog to a turkey or chicken, that’s the kind of flavouring it has.”

The chickpea-based shell is stuffed with bread crumbs, onion, mushrooms garlic, celery sweet potato, cranberry and spices to make it just like traditional Christmas, without the meat.

So far over 1,000 “Stuffed Beasts” have been ordered, and while online delivery options are no longer available, people can still order for store pick up, while supplies last.

Pre-stuffed holiday “roasts” are also available in local grocery stores, and online from wholesale supplier vegansupply.ca

vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca