Tofurky Italian Sausage

Monday, 21 February 2011 00:31 Written by Cameron Gabriel

The leaps forward in vegan cuisine in the last decade have been astounding. So many options are available now, that even the most steadfast omnivore can get a meal they would find delicious, and half the time wouldn't know was vegan unless they were told. Even at parties I am able to bring some killer munchies that often disappear before everything else. However, veganism's toughest battle won't be fought in a restaurant, grocery store, or company party, but in a place that has woven itself into the fabric of our culture: the barbecue.

That's right, the barbecue. Most other places I can almost pass for human, but here I may as well have fallen to earth in a meteor. Tell me if this sounds familiar: hot dogs, burgers, chicken, steak, wings, but more appropriately, cows, pigs and birds skinned and dismembered and laying on the grill. Potato salad with eggs and mayonnaise, pasta salad with salami and parmesan, jello salad with flaccid looking chunks of canned fruit floating in it. The list goes on. If you don't come to the event you're antisocial, and if you do and don't eat anything you're a freak. Up until about 7 years ago, the hot dog and hamburger substitutes were minimal and had room for improvement.

That is until our good friends at Turtle Island invented Tofurkey sausages. Look the hell out. These things are unbelievable. 3 different flavors are currently in the line up including Beer Brats (made with Full Sail Ale), Keilbasa Sausage and Sweet Italian Sausage, my personal favorite. They've got weight, they've got girth (sorry), they grill up nicely, taste great and really fill out a bun. And to reward you for making a healthy, compassionate vegan choice, each dog is organic and has 29 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, compared to 8 grams of protein and 0 grams of fiber in a Jimmy Dean sausage, not to mention the cholesterol, sodium, msg, preservatives, hormones and antibiotics that are along for the ride.

So check these out if you haven't already, and bring some to the next barbeque you're invited to. Guaranteed you'll get some takers, and save a life in the process.

Learn more: Tofurky