A “Centerpiece” dish for the vegetarians at your Thanksgiving table

One of my brothers has eaten no flesh food at all for over 30 years now, I have an uncle who only eats fish and seafood from the animal kingdom, and still another brother who flits back and forth from carnivore to semi-vegetarian. Just what's a hostess supposed to do at Thanksgiving! The Thanksgiving meal is centered around a big whole turkey as its focal point at the center, right?

While it's true that the Thanksgiving meal is centered around a big showy "centerpiece" dish, we've learned at my house over the years, that centerpiece doesn't have to be turkey alone. In fact, that quintessential harvest vegetable, the pumpkin lends itself perfectly to stuffing and being a showy centerpiece. It may be stuffed with a traditional bread or corn bread stuffing, or you can do what we do- stuff it with wild rice, mushrooms, diced red peppers and corn, with pecans and ginger thrown in for a little character. It makes a beautiful presentation, and fits perfectly at the center of the meal. The rest of the table can still be filled with all those sides you're used to- mashed potatoes, great fall veggies dishes, like brussels sprouts, roasted beets and winter greens, and pumpkin, pecan and apple pies. Your vegetarian and meat eaters will be happy.