For many of us, the holidays are for enjoying family, friends and good food. The omnivores among us are really in heaven, able to at least indulge in free-range meats and organic dairy-based baked goods (maybe some omega-3 eggs?); but vegetarians and vegans are bit more limited in their holiday choices. One product I recently sampled may help these herbivores enjoy an adequately special feast. Field Roast Grain Meat Company makes a variety of “meats” from grains. Amongst all the cutlets, sausages and meatloaf is a perfect product for a holiday feast: Celebration Roast.

Each Celebration Roast is a hand-shaped vital wheat gluten “roast”, stuffed with a “sausage-style” stuffing comprised of grain meat, butternut squash, mushrooms and Granny Smith apples, seasoned with rubbed sage, garlic and lemon juice.

I can attest the flavor, texture and appearance are pretty good. The only downside is getting your hands on one. Field Roast products are available at Whole Foods Markets, but not every location stocks Celebration Roast, and only a handful of independent or local-chain natural food retailers carry this or any other Field Roast product. This is an item you should consider carrying in your stores. OK, a bit late for this winter, but perhaps it will be a good item for Spring holidays and beyond.

Try to find and enjoy one this holiday season, and see for yourself how great a product this is, and how it could help your vegetarian and vegan customers enjoy a “roast” at the holiday dinner table. One drawback: it obviously doesn’t help consumers with celiac disease, as it is based on gluten.

We at the Shelf Life wish you all a great and healthy Holiday Season.