11 Traditional Foods Abroad Made Vegetarian

You're ready to embark on a multicultural adventure. But you don't want your food to make any noise. Easy. We've wrangled 11 veggie versions of traditional dishes from around the world. No plucking or clucking required.

1. Scotland: Haggis

macsween.co.uk

Haggis is all animal. Lamb parts encased and simmered in lamb stomach sounds delicious. Just kidding. In which case I'll happily enjoy this version, complete with an exciting blend of veggies, lentils and spices.

2. Mexico: Pork Rinds

vegchic.blogspot.com

Mmm! Pig skin. On second thought-I'll pass. Instead, I'll munch on these imitation pork rinds and watch the game in peace.

3. Russia: Beef Stroganoff

myrecipes.com

A hearty meal that can easily make its way to the dark side. Er, I mean-vegetarian side. Sub mushrooms for meat, and you're well on your way. From Russia, with love.

4. Australia: Meat Pie

tinnedtomatoes.com

You've just come back from surfing for hours. HOURS. So you're hungry, and would like nothing more then a meat pie, sans meat. Carrots and mushrooms are almost like sausage. Except not at all. Enjoy.

5. England: Blood Pudding

veganoo.net

Let's be straightforward: blood pudding is not blood, nor is it pudding. It is something else entirely. Which is why I'd like to sidestep that dish of confusion and dine on this instead. This particular item is made of barley, oats, dehydrated veggies, and spices. For the win.

6. Brazil: Vatapá

yourveganzombie.blogspot.com

While this creamy shrimp/coconut/peanut paste bowl of goodness actually sounds pretty interesting, the veg version sounds even more delicious. Complete with onions, garlic, peanut butter, bread, and coconut milk-I'll happily give vegetarian vatapá a whirl.

7. Greece: Moussaka

myrecipes.com

In this cultural favorite, the eggplant stands its ground and tells the spiced meat to take a hike. It was quite a scene, but eggplant invited zucchini and tomato and feta over, and everyone had a great time. As will you eating your vegetarian moussaka.

8. Canada: Pemmican

ascentmagazine.com

This high energy food native to North America is traditionally concocted with elk, buffalo or deer. I've met all of those animals before, and they never seem to miss my birthday. It is with this in mind that I found a number of yummy alternatives, packed with dried fruit and nuts and all things good.

9. Nigeria: Suya

mypearlproject.wordpress.com

You're thinking to yourself: enough is enough. I'm done with utensils. Thankfully suya comes on a stick. Chomp away at this scrumptious traditional alternative, and use the skewer at a later date. This particular recipe uses seitan, ginger, paprika, and a whole slew of other spices.

10. USA: Philly Cheese Steak

eatingwell.com

Nothing says America quite like a Philly Cheese Steak (aside from baseball, guns, Tang, and 4th of July parades). While I appreciate the idea behind this gut buster, let's shy away from the steak and steer toward the 'shrooms. And bell peppers. Throw this business on a hoagie roll and let's call it a party.

11. Iceland: Fermented Shark Head

winterwonderland.is

Substituting a beet for the aged head of a shark is an easy fix. NOT. Between old shark and seared sheep's head, there isn't exactly anything to replace these traditional dishes. Bury cabbage for a week and see what happens.