Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry and who can resist a big fat veggie feast on the table. While Christmas may be synonymous with stuffed birds, for those who prefer a plant-based party – we have plenty of ideas to keep your holly decked table groaning beneath the weight. From stuffed squashes to nom worthy nut roasts, take a look at these delightfully digestible ideas for planning your own Christmas veggie feasts…

Roasted Ricotta with Honey Figs

Looking for a starter to swap out those pigs in a blanket? How about these deliciously creamy, fresh and tart treats of roasted ricotta with honeyed figs. Ricotta rounds (or goat cheese rounds) are placed on a bed of herbs before being roasted whole in the oven with halved and scattered figs, orange zest, and a generous drizzle of runny honey. Serve with garlic-rubbed baked ciabatta for the ultimate appetizer treat.

Fennel, Butterbean and Parmesan Dip

Who doesn’t love a good dunk come Christmas? Whether its carrot sticks, crackers, chips or crusty bread – this creamy rich and delicious fennel, butterbean and parmesan dip is the best sidekick to your bottle of fizz. Super simple to mash together;  it calls on cream, peppery fennel bulbs, garlic, lemon, parmesan and a pinch of chilli flakes along with whizzed up butterbeans to make this sublime spread.

Persian Squash Roast

Forget the limp nut roast this year and instead opt for something a little more exotic. This Persian Squash and Pistachio Roast has us weak at the knees in anticipation. Comprised of all those seasonal dried fruits you love (we are looking at you cranberry and apricot), this inventive recipe packs quite the punch. Expect heart-warming notes of chestnut and pistachio, not to mention squash, brown rice, fresh coriander, spice and crumbly feta cheese.

Sage Butter Roasted Cauliflower

In the past cauliflower may have relegated to always being the bridesmaid and never the bride, but this delectable vegetable makes for a serious main. Bring this side dish into the centre stage by keeping it whole and hearty and roasting it for a full hour in the oven with a rub of seasoning and olive oil. Afterwards, brush your whole roasted cauliflower with a mixture of melted butter, sage, nutmeg and garlic for a gloriously aromatic finish.

Sweet Potato Dessert Fries

Yes, you read that dream title absolutely right. This vegan-friendly dish is an excellent choice for those with a sweet tooth. We are talking about a big pile of roasted sweet potato fries drizzled with runny peanut butter and melted chocolate before being topped with a dollop of coconut whipped cream and scattered with pomegranates. It sounds crazy but trust us – your whole table are going to go gooey-eyed over this one.

Brandy Snaps and Baileys Espresso Cream

If you need a little sweet boozy pick me up after that seasonal feast then how about cranking out some of these brandy snaps stuffed with baileys espresso cream. A classic nibble for the Christmas table scene, these snap crackled brandy biscuits come filled with a boozy bright baileys cream and just a hint of coffee liquor. They look divine perched on a fancy espresso cup and fill us with seasonal cheer. Even better, they can be made in advance which cuts down on your seasonal stress factor.

Which recipes will you be adding to your Christmas cookbook? Share in the comments.