Vegetarians Sausages or grilling for Vegetarians (input on Feta and Spinach Sausages at Costco)

[elvisahmed]

Hi Folks,
I am facing a conundrum. I am planning a BBQ for friends who are more fond of Vegetarian fare while I cater more to a carnivore crowd :) and can handle myself well if it comes to grilling meats. I am thinking of grilling some vegetables and mushrooms for them but want them to have somewhat different. Any idea where I can get good Vegeterian Sausages? I am a big fan of Costco and they have Feta and Spinach Sausages (on sale this week as well) has anyone tried these? I live in downtown core and would prefer something within a walking distance.
Input and ideas are highly appreciated.

[Nyleve]

Just so you know, the feta and spinach sausages at Costco are NOT vegetarian. They're made with turkey or chicken or both. Just flavoured with feta and spinach.

[elvisahmed]

Thanks Nyleve I guess I will try the wholefood route as suggested by a fellow chowhounder since these sausages are not vegetarian or worse case it will grilled portobello mushroom caps :(

[Pincus]

There are also the Tofurkey sausages. Not healthy (lots of fat/salt, so just like meat sausages!) but very tasty. My favourite is the Italian, but they're all good.

[PoppiYYZ]

Friends were eating (and enjoying) Costco's Gardenburgers recently. They said they are much better than other veggie burgers available. I tried them and found them surprisingly good, and similar tasting to regular beef burgers.

[MeMeMe]

We love to grill the PC Teriyaki tofu steaks. In the same place as the Yves veggie products at our Forest Hill Loblaws.

[jeffs101]

Pass on the pre-made sausages and bbq some portobello caps!

[elvisahmed]

Thanks Jeff those are already one the backup menu but I wanted my friends to try something they usually don't have at the BBQ.

[ylsf]

You could consider grilling up some Halloumi cheese too.. I went to a friend BBQ who was vegetarian and she grilled up some along with various veggies. The cheese was a big hit

[looosia]

I second grilling up Halloumi cheese. Here in Montreal you can get battered Halloumi cheese as the "fish" in fish and chips at a place in the Old Port, and I thought it held up well to the heat, retained its form, and tasted great. So I would expect that it would hold up to grilling on the BBQ.

[goodhealthgourmet]

if you're near the Toronto location of Whole Foods, see if they have Field Roast vegan sausages in stock - i *highly* recommend them.
http://www.fieldroast.com/products.htm

[elvisahmed]

Thanks for your input there are three types apparently. Any particular type that you recommend?

[goodhealthgourmet]

they didn't come out with the Mexican Chipotle until after i had to give them up (no more gluten for me!) so i never tried that one, and of course it would likely be my favorite. i'm not a huge fan of apple in my sausage in general, but theirs is heavy enough on the sage to counteract the sweetness...and the Italian is good too. honestly, i like all their products - i wish i could still eat them.

my hands-down favorite is the Smoked Tomato Loaf, and now that i think about it, you could even get the loaves too - cut into chunks and do kebabs/skewers with them...the Lentil Sage & Wild Mushroom are both tasty as well.

[Ediblethoughts]

I go to WF every week and never noticed these! Are they on the side with the raw fish and cuts of meat? (Also, are the chipotle very spicy? I love hot spicy but not everyone who eats them does...)

[goodhealthgourmet]

well, like i said, i never got to try the Chipotle flavor so i don't know about the spice level. and i'm not positive the WF in Toronto carries the products - i just know we have them here in the States which is why i told the OP to look for them. if the store does have them, they'll be with the tofu and all the other vegetarian/vegan meat alternatives in the refrigerated case.

[Full tummy]

Unfortunately, Field Roast products don't seem to be available in Canada. Maybe someday...

[piccola]

Just like Quorn and Boca...

[goodhealthgourmet]

argh! i'm so sorry for the false alarm :( maybe contact the company and give 'em a little push...? ;)

[Ediblethoughts]

Darn! I wondered how I'd missed them. I've frequently lamented the lack of an interesting veg sausage or veggie burger there---they have everything else, so why not that, esp. given their focus on healthy stuff.

[Full tummy]

I fully agree. I am contemplating a trip across the border just to get some. They have a whole range of products that look like they may be good. Here's hoping we get some better options soon!

[Ediblethoughts]

Note to self: Fill out suggestion slip when next at WF...

[Full tummy]

I also think goodhealthgourmet's suggestion of writing the manufacturer is a great idea. We should all send a quick email letting them know that Canadians want the goods, too!

[Ediblethoughts]

Would be happy to do so (though just tried the google search and no results found)...

[Full tummy]

Here is their contact page:

http://www.fieldroast.com/contact.htm

[Ediblethoughts]

Thanks, I'll definitely email them. Though I'd assume it would be more effective to ask WF to stock them--just in terms of how I thought these things usually go down in retail....

[Full tummy]

Yes, I think we should do that too.

Btw, I got a reply from the company, and they suggest Karmavore, in Vancouver. Looks as though they sell some of their products:

http://www.karmavore.ca/shop.php?pcat...

[Ediblethoughts]

Do they know how far away Vancouver is from Toronto?

[Full tummy]

I think so, but since they're in Seattle, I think Vancouver is our best Canadian option, and the company does ship Canada-wide.

[marzenka]

My daughter is vegetarian and she gets Field Roast vegan sausages at Summerhill Market.

-----
Summerhill Market
446 Summerhill Ave, Toronto, ON M4W, CA

[Full tummy]

Really? Will have to check this out.

[Ediblethoughts]

Nice! Thanks for the info!