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Make These Festive Vegetarian Dishes for Dinner This Holiday Season

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Food & Drink

Make These Festive Vegetarian Dishes for Dinner This Holiday Season

December 15, 2023

jenni wearing a grey sweater setting her wooden dining table with a garland placed down the middle and plates set with presents
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Whether you’re preparing for guests with vegetarian preferences or simply looking for a lighter take on classic holiday party food, there’s no reason not to explore new seasonal traditions—especially when they’re recipes coming from the kitchen of Melissa Norton. Jenni tapped the chef behind Cucina Melissa for her own recent vegetable-forward gathering, and the spread was everything you’d expect and more. For a behind-the-scenes breakdown of everything from décor to the mouthwatering details—including full recipes for every dish—keep reading.

A rustic wooden table set for a vegetarian meal, featuring a plate with a small gift box tied with green ribbon and a pinecone, a green napkin, cutlery, glasses of water, and a festive greenery centerpiece with a lit candle.Bistro Vintage Finish Cutlery Set, Ivory, $95

The Setting

An ode to classic winter scenes, Jenni’s table was pure holiday perfection. Grounded by any-season dinnerware she can always count on and enhanced with a few simple seasonal touches—festive holiday greenery and a nostalgic palette of reds and greens—her everyday table was transformed into an occasion-worthy setting without any extra effort.

a dining table with a garland down the middle and candles burning
jenni holding a gift with green ribbon
A close-up of a vegetarian-inspired floral arrangement featuring dark burgundy flowers, pine needles, green leaves, and small berries against a softly blurred light background.
A wooden table set for a festive vegetarian meal with beige plates, water glasses, and small gift boxes tied with green ribbon and pinecones. Candles and floral centerpieces decorate the table.

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The Menu

Regardless of whether or not your guests are vegetarian, this garden-inspired spread from chef Melissa Norton is guaranteed to inspire seconds. Laden with delectable seasonal flavors and packed with essential protein—no meat necessary—each of them can easily function as a main dish or the perfect holiday sides. Not to mention, they’re as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate.

a head of cauliflower on an ivory plate set on a dining table
jenni-cucina-melissa-holiday-dining-table-veggies-serving-platters
A vibrant vegetarian plate of thinly sliced persimmons arranged in a circle, topped with kale, pomegranate seeds, pepitas, fresh herbs, and dollops of white cheese on a wooden table.
A vegetarian wooden board topped with assorted cheeses, grapes, dried apricots, green olives, sliced bread, honeycomb, fresh herbs, and a small jar of honey, with pine greenery in the background.
jenni in a grey sweater in her dining room petting her dog and fixing a plate on the tableHayes Crewneck Cardigan, Grey, $325

The Extras

In the name of more effortless occasions, there’s nothing wrong with sourcing a few elements from elsewhere—especially when it’s something as show-stopping and bespoke as a cheeseboard from local Los Angeles favorite, Lady and Larder. For your own gathering, take a cue from Jenni’s handbook and lean on local artisans and vendors for that extra-special touch.

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jenni-holiday-cucina-melissa-dining-table-full-table-setting

Photos by Bliss Kaufman