Good Taste : Veggie adventure

By Eleni Collins
Published: January 14, 2010

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I recently took the Pledge to Be Veg for 30 Days through PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The organization urges this pledge to "stop supporting cruelty to chickens, pigs, cows, fish, and other animals raised for food." And even though we are lucky to have more farm-raised and grass-fed meat options on our Island menus, here are a few vegetarian choices.

At Fella's: pesto, spinach, and tomatoes, with alfredo sauce. Photo by Ralph Stewart

Up in West Tisbury, Fella's carries salads made fresh daily that range from $5 to $5.75. They also offer a made-to-order Vegetarian sandwich with roasted squash, zucchini, red onion, portabello mushroom, bell pepper, asiago cheese, pesto, romaine lettuce, and tomato ($6.75); and daily made Vegetarian Bean Wraps ($5.75). A slice of their veggie pizza is $3; a whole pie is $18.

In addition to salads and appetizers, the vegetarian dinner entrée at State Road Restaurant in West Tisbury is the Vegetable Rösti. It's made with potato rösti, which is similar to a potato pancake, braised leeks, white beans, and mushroom ragout ($26).

The Vegetable Pasta at The Wharf in Edgartown is a favorite among vegetarians. Available for lunch and dinner, it includes spinach, artichokes, tomato, fresh mozzarella, and white wine over penne pasta ($16).

At Edgartown Pizza, in addition to salads and veggie pizzas, there's the Tomato Mozzarella Sandwich: tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil served with house pesto sauce on toasted multi-grain bread ($7.95); and Eggplant Parmesan pasta ($8.95).

Also in Edgartown, at David Ryan's, find starters such as Hand Breaded Fresh Mozzarella and Local Tomato Slices fried with Marinara and Local Arugula ($8), and salads such as the Farmers Salad: local Whippoorwill greens tossed with Morning Glory Farm seasonal vegetables ($7).

In Vineyard Haven, Waterside Market offers daily soup specials that usually have a vegetarian option. This week's were Butternut Squash, and Tomato Basil, both $5. A nice variation from the typical breakfast sandwich is the Skinny Wrap: made with scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, cheddar cheese, avocado, and fresh spinach, served in a whole-wheat wrap ($9). In addition to the many salads, there are several sandwiches, such as the Egg Salad Wrap, made with house-made egg salad, fresh spinach, tomato, and sprouts ($7).

At Sharky's Cantinas in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, you can get almost anything without meat, from Super Nachos (loaded with sour cream, guacamole, and your choice of beans, $10.95); to the Fresh Grilled-Veggie Burrito (flour tortilla grilled with vegetables, guacamole, rice, cheese, sour cream, choice of beans, and fresh salsa, $10.45).

Vegetarian options at Linda Jean's in Oak Bluffs for lunch and dinner include the Grilled Portabello Mushroom Sandwich, with onions, peppers, and melted Swiss cheese in a roll up, with lettuce, tomato, and cole slaw ($8.99); and the Vegetarian Garden Burger, with lettuce, tomato, onions, salsa, and a side of cole slaw ($7.99).

Slice of Life's Vegetarian Sandwich includes broccoli, roasted onions and tomatoes, Parmesan bread crumbs, and olive tapenade on toasted rosemary bread ($8.75). Or try the Classic Panini: cheddar, mozzarella, tomatoes, and Dijon mustard, grilled on country bread ($7.50).

Prices are subject to change.