Vegetarian camping meals?

[polkadotsuitcase]

My 12yo son has decided to become a vegetarian.

First off, please, if you want to discuss pros/cons of vegetarianism, could we do it on another thread? He's just entering the tween/teen "find out who I am" thing, and I'm planning on supporting his explorations, the same way I was there for him when he put one foot in front of the other and learn to walk when he was a toddler.

Okay, so he's testing out vegetarianism. We love to camp. We love to stick hunks of meat on forks and roast them over the fire. See the conflict? So I guess I have a two-fold question:

1) What kind of things would be a good sit-around-the-campfire replacement food that's vegetarian? We've found those Boca Burger things (he calls them Bogus Burgers but has no prob eating them), but are there also some kind of faux hot dogs or something?

2) If you've got any easy, throw-together veggie meals that he could eat when the rest of us are throwing together deli sandwiches or something out of the crockpot, I'd really be grateful.

I was a vegetarian years ago (until I met hubby), but I actually love veggies, while kiddo has a limited veggie vocabulary, LOL.

Thanks so much!

(...oh, and I know that there will be some things that have to change, and that he'll have to adapt, and...I'm trying to fend off any possible tangents this thread could take!!)

 

[Nayan]

It's not too hard to add veggie things. While you're grilling meat on forks, cut up some big chunks of veggies and fruit (squash, onions, cherry tomatoes, pineapple, pears, peaches...I can go on). Will he eat pasta's, like tortellini or ravioli's? Make a big pasta salad for everyone to enjoy. I am a big fan of the MorningStar Farms veggie burgers (better taste), they have Smart Dogs (usually in the produce aisle) which are really good, even my son asks for them and he's not a vegetarian. They also have 'chicken' nuggets which aren't bad either.

 

[DaddyDon]

I remember when my oldest daughter came back from a school trip to london and she met a young man ...she declared she was going veg like him...It lasted about 2 weeks...about as long as there romance lasted...Hope your son finds his way...and its great your supporting him!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Well you should know by now what I'm gonna say,,fish. Does he count fish as being meat ?? I know of some folk who are vegetarian but eat fish. Don't ask ME what the difference is cause I LOVE meat,,just knock it's horns off and wipe its butt and it's ready to eat,
But seriously, some vegetarians eat meat,

 

[BradyBz12]

You can cook up all kinds of yummy veggie dishes in foil packs perfect for camping. Just slice up your favorite veggies and layer them in foil with seasonings and a little fat (butter or olive oil), roll up the top and either throw them in the oven, on the grill on low or on the top rack while other stuff is cooking below or even on the coals of a camp fire.

The thinner the slices, the quicker it cooks and less likely it burns - especially for harder/root veggies. You can also do lots of this stuff ahead - cut up the veggies at home and store in a ziploc bag until you're ready to use.

Some faves...

Summer squash layered with butter, onions, peppers, mushrooms, garlic

Potatoes, onions, peppers - salt, pepper, butter (add garlic and other herbs if you like)

Sweet potato - salt, pepper, some pats of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. It's almost dessert!

FYI - it's also great with fruit like peaches, pears, apples... for dessert. A few pats of butter and a drizzle of honey.... yum!! If you want to get really adventurous, try a little brown sugar or a grind of pepper.

Pasta salad loaded up with favorite veggies and tasty dressing or mayo is also great for camping. Make it at home and then just toss in the fridge/cooler. I like to bring the dressing/mayo and mix it up fresh.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

My 13 year old has been doing the vegitarian thing for the last two years....she gave in one night while at the HDDR with PolynesianPixie and her family and I thought FINALLY....I got my barbq buddy back....but she got back on the wagon the next day and has been faithfull to it ever since. Im actually pretty proud of her for sticking to something she believes in...she has converted some of her friends as well...and is often spreading the word of the cruelty that animals go through so we can enjoy a good steak or bucket of fried chicken......I AINT CONVERTING!!! But I support her 100%.

She likes the Boca Burgers as well, and the same company makes a chicken patty type thing that she says is really good also. She HATES the veggie-dogs...she says they taste and feel like rubber. She LOVES the veggie-ribs...Ive tasted these and they arent too bad...but THEY AINT RIBS!!!!

We keep a case of ramen noodles on hand at all times...she will only eat the shrimp flavored ones (yes, she DOES eat seafood) because the other flavor's seasoning actually has dehydrated beef and/or chicken and pork....yes, she actually reads the ingredients on EVERYTHING nowadays!!

She eats alot of cheese pizzas, veggie quessadillas,etc.

As far as what to bring camping...it really is tough on us as parents because we dont want to make her feel like her diet is a burden on us nor her to feel left out...so we bring the Boca Burgers and ribs with us and throw them on the grill(they always stick to the grill though) but it makes things feel right for us..as in WE'RE having BarBQ. She also really like the giant portabella mushrooms on the grill, she says they taste more like hamburgers than the boca burgers do.

On top of all of this...shes still a kid...and theirs ALWAYS junkfood involved! Baked potatoes from Wendy's and fries from MickeyDs are at least a weekly thing!!!

 

[Gatordad]

How do you become a vegetarian and not eat veggies?

 

[Ellen aka Snow White]

My daughter came home from a school trip 2 years ago and said she was never eating meat again - and she hasn't!! She doesn't care for too many vegetables either, however she is a big salad eater - one of her favorite is taco salad. She likes black beans instead of ground beef. She will also use either black beans or kidney beans on a wrap - add some onion, lettece, ranch dressing and she is good to go, and it is quick and easy when camping.

When we went on Christmas vacation we were able to find "deli meat" that she said was very good - it was in the refrigerated, organic section. Unlike some of the other non-meat meats, it wasn't high in sodium, so it was a good option. Unfortunately that was in Colorado and we have not been able to find it near home, so I don't know about your area. I would suggest you watch the sodium on the "vegeterian meats", as it usually runs HIGH!

The also sell a vegetable broth and that can be subbed for chicken broth to make potato soup or vegetable soup.

I am trying to plan our Disney trip and this will be our first with her being a vegetarian. I am finding it very difficult to find things she will eat on the menus.

Good luck!
Ellen

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Hey, thanks so much for all this great intel! I truly appreciate it. I was just out at my writer's group and found out when I came home that hubby and the kids had gone out to eat. Apparently all my son could find on the menu was some big stuffed pepper thing and a potato-filled something or other (not clear on the details...it was a Mexican restaurant). And I guess he sat and ate that. I'm amazed.

I'll tell you what -- all your suggestions sound a million times better than whatever that was! So, thanks. I feel a lot more confident about figuring out what to feed the fella when we go camping next time. You gave me some great ideas to get started!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Fish ?? Nobody addressed the fish thingy ??
Do veggie people eat fish ??

 

[BigDaddyRog]

My daughter eats seafood...but will only eat speckled trout, tuna or salmon as far as actual FISH goes.....she wont eat Mahi because they are too "cute"!!! She can eat a pound of grilled shrimp by herself though...thats one shrimp loving kid!!!

 

[Nayan]

I eat fish and shellfish.

 

[johnsonmatt3]

The foil dinners are really good. just remember that the coals have to be really hot. Also there is a website called recipezaar.com. If you type in vegitarian meals you will find thousands of meatless meals. good luck.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Fish ?? Nobody addressed the fish thingy ??
Do veggie people eat fish ??

My young dude's off seafood as well, but I know some vegetarians do eat it. My hubby's a fisherman -- does bass tourneys -- but even when he goes down to the coast and brings back some amazing fresh-caught seafood, our son won't eat it. More for us!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

As far as what to bring camping...it really is tough on us as parents because we dont want to make her feel like her diet is a burden on us nor her to feel left out...so we bring the Boca Burgers and ribs with us and throw them on the grill(they always stick to the grill though) but it makes things feel right for us..as in WE'RE having BarBQ. She also really like the giant portabella mushrooms on the grill, she says they taste more like hamburgers than the boca burgers do.

You're such a good dad. I've been telling DH -- who happens to be the one who "converted" me from vegetarianism over a decade ago! -- to just roll with this and see how far our kiddo wants to go with it.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Summer squash layered with butter, onions, peppers, mushrooms, garlic

<snip>

Sweet potato - salt, pepper, some pats of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. It's almost dessert!

Okay, I think these may call for a backyard fire in the fire pit...just for "research" purposes, of course. They sound GOOD! Thanks again!

 

[Judy in Texas]

If you have Pei Wei restaurants in your area, it is a good place to explore vegetarian options while keeping the meat-lovers in the family happy. I had always turned my nose up at the thought of tofu. Those rubber-looking chunks just didn't look appetizing. Pei Wei has a Japanese Teriyaki Bowl with the tofu thinly sliced to it looks like slices of chicken breast and it isn't bad. Perhaps if you can find restaurants in the area with good veggie options, it will let him find options that will transfer to camping.

How about those pie irons? http://www.pieiron.com/ Lots of options for pizza, and other grill sandwiches (peanut butter and banana?). I bought a waffle iron from the pie iron folks for use over a campfire. I've not yet used it and have a feeling I'll ruin more than I eat at first; but, trying can be half the fun. Good luck

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

How about those pie irons? http://www.pieiron.com/ Lots of options for pizza, and other grill sandwiches (peanut butter and banana?). I bought a waffle iron from the pie iron folks for use over a campfire. I've not yet used it and have a feeling I'll ruin more than I eat at first; but, trying can be half the fun. Good luck

Oh, Judy, I'm the pie iron queen! I LOVE using those things. I'll even fire up the backyard fire pit just to make a complete meal in them, hee hee. I've been brainstorming some non-meat pie iron ideas. I like the peanut butter and banana idea -- yum! Good call.

 

[big kahuna1]

Let me have him for a weekend and I'll cure him for ya!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Let me have him for a weekend and I'll cure him for ya!

This is true

My 13 year old has been doing the vegitarian thing for the last two years....she gave in one night while at the HDDR with PolynesianPixie and her family and I thought FINALLY....I got my barbq buddy back....but she got back on the wagon the next day and has been faithfull to it ever since.

I am SO ashamed! Actually, Meija is vegetarian again now too.

Fish ?? Nobody addressed the fish thingy ??
Do veggie people eat fish ??

LOL, Meija eats seafood.
I was a vegetarian for a long time. Pregnancy cured me of that...I HAD to have a CHEESEBURGER!!!!!!!!!

A yummy dish that keeps everyone in my house pretty happy is the boca italian sausage crumbles, a can of black beans, a can of tomatoes with chilis and some queso. Cook it all together and serve on a tortilla. Add sour cream, jalepenos, avocados, corn...as needed.