Question for Vegetarians?

It depends on the vegetarian. My husband and son are vegetarians, and would not eat it since it was in the same dish as meat. however, my two SILs would eat it. I think it is accomodating, and nice of you to do that for company. Either way they would find you considerate for thinking of everyones tastes.

The vegetarians I know would not eat it, unless there was absolutely nothing else.

Since we have veg., in the family, I make a veg version and a meat version, in separate pans, with separate utensils, for exactly the reasons that Kade S. said. Or I make a different veg main dish option if I can't do a meatless version. And no, there are no "vegetarian militants" in my family. :)

I'm not a vegetarian, but this question made me create a phrase that I just had to share - ready?

"meat cooties"

It may be stupid (I know, it's late), but I hope it makes someone laugh :) (At least I amused myself LOL)

Hi DAZ----I would say that it depends a lot on why you are a vegetarian. If it is for moral and ethical reasons concerning the treatment of animals, maybe not. But, if it's for health reasons, unless you have a debilitating degenerative disease, even eating a bit of meat now and then will NOT hurt you.

Good luck...be well. D.

First, I'm a vegetarian and I'm always so appreciative when a host has made something for me. Usually we either get "I figured you would just have the side dishes, or I thought you could pick off the meat". So any extra effort on my behalf is never expected but always appreciated.

Second, In a dish that would be all baked in the same dish, it would be tricky. It's likely that the meat 'juices' would wander over to the other side at the bottom of the dish, so I would probably not want to eat it. But as others have said, if I knew it was made for me I would totally pretend to eat it!

I would say it's always best to go totally separate dishes when possible, just to avoid any issues.

I think Jae's tired / there's a bit of a typo.

Longterm vegetarians LACK the enzymes to digest animal proteins, sugars, and lipids. Because they don't have the enzymes to digest them, they make the person violently ill. Sometimes for 'just' a few hours, sometimes for several days. ((New vegetarians, and most V kids still produce the enzymes to greater or lesser extent, and pescatarians -just seafood-, and those who intentionally consume some meat products (like vegetarian except for bacon) or like bouillon or weekly meat, purely to keep their enzymes up can eat meat or food that's gotten meat on it, without getting ill... because they still have the enzymes)).

Then there's the moral aspect. I consider it this way; I don't eat dog. I would not eat (unless I'm starving) any dish that has dog in it, even if half of it was 'dog-free'.

Now I'm NOT a vegetarian... My husband (and about half my friends) are vegetarian (of varying kinds). Their answers as to whether or not they'd eat from the same dish vary based on how long they've been vegetarian (aka will it make them sick from the "meat cooties"), and how they feel morally about eating meat.

If you are cooking for vegetarians, I would put them in two separate cooking dishes.

It will certainly depend on why you are a vegetarian. My friend wouldn't touch it if there was meat anywhere near anything she is going to eat, to include, if you were cooking burgers for everyone and then cooked her a veggie burger on the same grill she wouldn't eat it. She is against the whole killing and eating animals thing, she doesn't believe we need to do it. (I haven't even given her a hard time about her leather shoes, leather purse, etc. - ha ha - maybe one day)

For myself, I just do not prefer meat, primarily the texture. Therefore, I would eat a veggie burger off the regular burger grill or lasagne with half veggie, half meat.

I'm vegetarian and would not eat it from the same dish at all.

Too close for comfort for me. The Juices have a way of traveling. But i abstain from meat for moral reasons and the idea of it, or its flavors makes me want to puke. Some vegetarians do so for health reasons (also a very good reason) and while they dont eat meat wouldnt likely refuse vegetarian lasagna within proximity of meat lasagna.

It just depends on the vegetarian. If they are morally opposed they would have to be lax to accept it(most moral driven vegetarians are vigilant about their ingredients and carry over), not the case if they are just in it for its health qualities.

Its very sweet of you to wonder and try to accommodate your vegetarian friends, just make a separate lasagna if thats possible, if not im sure they wont care and will fill up on sides.

It really depends on the vegetarian. My kids have been vegetarians for 3 years now and they would NOT eat the casserole even if they got a slice from the non-meat side. (I know for a fact because this is how it is with pizza around my house. ) We have to get 2 pizzas.... one just cheese and the other cheese and pepperoni. My husband says I shouldn't go this route but it would really hurt them emotionally if they shared a pizza where the other side had meat on it. (They would rather go hungry. They have that much compassion for all animals.) They are almost 10 yrs. old and ever since they realized that the animal has to die in order for us to eat it, they have insisted on being vegetarians.

Interesting question (yes, silly, but still interesting). Is this another party 'guest' suggesting it? or the host? if it's the host, I think that's just plain weird and a bit presumptuous to make something 'special' like that for the sole purpose of vegetarian guest(s) (vs. making it that way because say their kid doesn't like meat). If it's a guest, then it just sounds like they're not particularly familiar with vegetarianism and just being well... dumb/silly.

I would probably would not eat it, because it has what I call "meat enzymes" on it. It's the same reason why I won't eat pizza that has had the pepperoni picked off it.

However, if this is what was served and it was obvious this was the host's concession to my vegetarianism, I wouldn't refuse it outright. I would probably just keep bit on my plate and pretend to eat it. And I would probably serve it to my kids (also vegetarians) who would most likely consume it because they are too young to know to only pretend to eat food.

If you are the hostess, I'd say a separate dish would be most appreciated.

ETA: Just saw Riley's comment. For some reason, I've always called what another poster described as "meat cooties" as "meat enzymes." I basically mean that I prefer not to eat food that has touched meat, because it has their juices/whatever on it. I'm sure "enzymes" is not at all the scientifically correct term for it. :)

I am not a vegetarian now, but used to be. I would not care about eating from a side to side dish. So long as I wasn't actually consuming meat, it wasn't a problem. It's not my business to push my agenda on others, which is what I'd be doing if I refused to eat a meal close to meat.

I started eating vegetarian nearly 3 months ago for health reasons and figured I'd have meat every once in a while but changed my mind and decided no more meat for moral reasons a week or two in. In this situation, if it was a buffet I'd probably skip it. If not, I would ask for a piece on the end that is farthest from the center and might discreetly take very small bites looking for a meat crumble hiding out. Would rather not be so concerned while enjoying time with friends or family, though.

my hubby has been a veggie for 15 years - and if there was nothing else to eat he might do the 'meatless' side of the 'meaty' lasagna (lol) but he usually just makes a meal out of side dishes - not a big deal. Btw - i think the reason why people are veggies is irrelevant - they've made a decision not to eat meat - period - so i don't think a 'justification' is going to make a difference.

I would eat it as to not be disrespect to the efforts of the one who produced such with you in mind. Hence the cook made a special effort and I would respectfully obige the effort and eat the serving that specifically does not include meat!

Not a silly question. If you are asking because you want to accommodate someone you are cooking a meal for at a gathering or similar situation, you might want to ask. My husband is vegetarian and that wouldn't bother him. This actually happens at my families Christmas Eve gathering with lasagna. My neice cooks it all in one pan but leaves part of it without meat. She asked us the first time she did it. I do have friends who are vegetarian for religious cultural reasons, and I think it would bother them to varying degrees. I've heard of (don't personally know of) people who will throw out dishes if meat has touched them. It is nice of you to ask (here) to get an idea.