Christmas is right around the corner. It’s time to accept the invitations to parties, decide where we spend the days off and, of course, figure out the menu for Christmas dinner (or lunch).

In my (extended) family, the tradition is simple: I and hubby dearest spend (most) Christmas Days at my parents’ place. And since I’ve switched to a vegan lifestyle, this also means that I do the cooking and mom is helping me.

I’ve written before about traditional Christmas food in Romania but it was strictly based on the non-vegan options.

That’s why, in this article, I’ve decided to share with you the vegan traditional Christmas Romanian food I’ve cooked in the previous year and most likely would cook again. Ready? Let’s cook!

Vegan Traditional Christmas Food in Romania: Appetizers

While my parents have declared that they really enjoy hummus and guacamole, neither is traditional in our cuisine. So, I usually make two appetizers: vegan eggplant dip and white beans hummus.

During fall we char eggplants which we then drain and freeze. So, a day before I get cooking, two-three charred eggplants come out from the freezer to be defrosted and drained (again).

Ingredients for vegan eggplant dip:

• 2-3 charred eggplants
• 1 medium onion
• 2-4 TBSP olive oil
• 2 tsp mustard
• salt
• alternatively: 2-3 TBSP store-bought vegan mayo

The easiest way to do this is with the help of an immersion blender. In a bowl, add the eggplants and the onion – cut in smaller pieces. Blend until smooth. Then use a wooden spoon to mix in the salt. If you go the vegan mayo way, just add 2-4 TBSP – to taste – and that’s it.

Or you can add the mustard and then the olive oil. Make sure everything is incorporated properly, so start with 2 TBSP of olive oil and work your way up.

Ingredients for white beans hummus:

• 2 cans of large white beans
• 4 TBSP olive oil
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• salt and oregano to taste
• paprika to serve

Again, make use of that immersion blender. Add everything but the paprika in the bowl and mix until smooth. Voila! Serve on toast with paprika sprinkled on top.

Vegan Traditional Christmas Food in Romania: Vegetables Soup

In general, I make a hearty vegetable soup with vegan homemade noodles.

Ingredients for the vegetable soup:

• 4 large carrots
• 1 large onion
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 large parsnips
• 2 large parsley and the leaves
• 1 celeriac root and some leaves
• 1 kohlarbi (optional)
• 250 g tomato juice or 1 large tomato grated
• salt
• 100 g vegan home made noodles

In a large pot, add 3 liters of water, the onion, some parsley and celery leaves, as well as the tomato juice. When it boils, add the salt and all the vegetables, chopped finely. Let it boil for about 20 min. Check if the carrots are done and check if it’s salty enough. Add the noodles and turn off the stove.

I like to finely chop parsley to serve on top. And, of course, freshly ground pepper.

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Vegan Traditional Christmas Food in Romania: Vegan Cabbage Rolls and Polenta

This is the dish that takes the most time to make.

Ingredients for vegan traditional cabbage rolls

• 2 heads of pickled / fermented cabbage (about 20-24 leaves)
• 500 g white rice (small, round grain) but can be swaped for brown rice
• 1 kg fresh mushrooms finely chopped or 2 cans
• 4 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 large carrots, finely chopped or grated
• 50 ml oil
• salt, pepper, oregano (my secret ingredient)
• 500 ml canned tomato juice or 2 large tomato, grated
• 1 or 2 bay leaves

In a large pan, add the oil, onions, mushrooms, and carrot. Let them sweat for about 2-3 min, then add the rice and the tomato juice plus two more cups of water. Add the salt, pepper, and oregano. Let it boil until there’s no more water in the pan. Let it sit until it’s cold enough to work the mixture with your hands.

You can finely chop the smaller leaves to add at the bottom of the pot in which you’ll boil the cabbage rolls. When the mixture is cold enough, start rolling the cabbage leaves and add them in the pot. Also, add some bay leaves and water to cover all the rolls. Put a lid on it and boil for at least 45 min.

Serve with polenta (which you’ll boil according to packaging).

Vegan Traditional Christmas Food in Romania: Babka

Babka is the traditional dessert to serve in Romania for Christmas. The problem is that not only it’s hard to make but it’s not exactly vegan. Thankfully, there are ways to make it vegan.

Ingredients for vegan babka:

• 500g flour for baking
• 120g brown sugar
• 80ml sunflower oil
• 250ml almond milk
• 20g fresh yeast or 7g dried
• 1 tsp turmeric

For the filling

• 150g walnuts
• 75g brown sugar
• 10g cocoa powder
• 35ml almond milk
• 200g raisins
• a pinch of salt

In a bowl, add the sugar, oil, water, baking powder, and flour. Mix until smooth (use an electric hand mixer). Put half of it in a different bowl.

Make two thick and long “logs” which you will braid together. In the middle of each, put half of the filling.

Add in the baking pan – in which you added parchment paper and oil – and bake for 35-45 min at medium heat. Check if done, take it out of the oven, and let it sit another 10 min.

You may also add various nuts to the mixture. Or you can also use lokum (Turkish delight)

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