Anyway, for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, Mabon is on Thursday. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, Blessed Ostara! What IS Mabon? Well, this article explains it pretty well. But for those who want a brief explanation: Basically, it's a minor sabbat for Neopagans. Also called "The Witches Thanksgiving", it is the second of three harvest festivals. However, that doesn't mean that non-Pagans can't celebrate! After all, it's the Autumnal Equinox (aka First Day of Fall).
Read on....
How to celebrate the day (apart from feasting)? Here are "5 Ways to Celebrate Mabon (Without Spending a Dime)" and "15 Free and Low-Cost Ways To Celebrate Mabon". If you're so inclined, here's a simple ritual designed for a Solitary Practitioner. All you need is salt or soil, water, incense, a candle, and a notebook (or your Book of Shadows). Can you still do this if you're not Pagan? Of course! Do you need to know how to "cast a circle"? Not really. Instead of inviting and thanking your Gods and Goddesses, simply open and close the ritual as you would your usual prayers. Heck, even those without a faith could simply do the part where you write down what you wish to let go of or change and ask the elements to help. Much of it seems more a "Guided Meditation" than a ritual anyway!
Okay, now onto the good part...FOOD! At this time of year, there's so much abundance. Our ancestors would harvest their crops and begin slaughtering animals, then start putting by as much as possible for the long winter months ahead. Back then, if you didn't store enough to get through, you could starve. We don't know how lucky we have it (in much of the world) with our modern farming, processing, and stores (flawed though those systems may be). So traditional foods would include anything still growing in the fields. Obviously, different climates had different crops available. But generally things like apples, pomegranates, grapes, pears, pumpkins and squashes, root vegetables (carrots and potatoes, yes. But also onions and garlic, turnips, parsnips, rutabaga, etc), cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower, grain foods (bread, pasta, corn), dried beans, nuts, and meat.
So, what to have for your feast? Some traditional options would include roasted poultry or game, beef stew, pot roast, pot pie etc if you are a meat eater.
If you're Vegetarian, you could go with a Quorn Roast (it's a shame their "beef" isn't available outside the UK, but since turkey is also traditional...) or Tofurky. Or a Seitan pot roast, if you're so inclined. In a hurry? Try this "Vegetarian Slow Cooker Pot Roast" that uses pre-packaged Seitan and a sauce. For those who cannot have Gluten, you could make a "pot roast" out of Portobello mushrooms...or even CABBAGE (talk about fall)!
Not in the mood for pot roast? How about this "Vegetarian Pot Pie for Beauty, Grounding, and Protection" instead? Or even a sweet potato soufflé? And then there's this "Vegan Mabon Haggis" While I've never heard of haggis being served during this time of year, it makes sense ("meat", onions, oats).
Regardless of the main dish, feel free to add plenty of sides! Still have green beans growing? Cook those up! Already canned them all (or just bought a bunch on sale)? Green bean casserole. A sale on winter squash or sweet potatoes? Stuffed or roasted squash, sweet potato casserole (use Veg*n marshmallows). Have some stale bread? Why not make stuffing! Any potato dish from mashed to roasted would be a good touch. Glazed carrots. Roasted Brussels sprouts are delicious (simply trim them and halve the larger ones. Toss with a small amount of oil and season with salt and pepper, adding any other seasonings you like. Bake at 425°F [about 218°C] for about half an hour or until crispy on the outside, turning once). Have a lot of kale? Toss it! Seriously, while I don't like kale, I know a lot of people (and ratties) do. You could cook up a nice batch.
For more ideas, here are "Mabon Vegetarian Recipes For Your Fall Gatherings!" (a lot seem to be soups and stews, which definitely are traditional). Also, here's a "Vegan Recipe Roundup for Mabon". And here's another page with a bunch of Vegan Mabon recipes (including gluten-free "chicken"/"turkey" and gravy, a sheet pan dinner, individual sweet potato casseroles, carrot cake, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, and a LOT more).
Now what about those who're alone (or part of a couple)? Surely we can feast too! Gardein "lightly breaded turk'y cutlets" come in frozen packs of 4. So it's easy to cook a smaller portion. Meat eaters could obviously buy turkey cutlets or a small breast too.
Another main option is a "Beef Stew for One" (if Veg*n, substitute with rehydrated TVP, Gardein Be'f Tips, or a veggie "burger" cut into large chunks [cook it and add near the end]. Or even cut mushrooms in half and pan fry them instead of the beef! Use a Veg-friendly broth. My advise from experience is to cut the oil in half unless you like really oily stew). Double it for two.
In the mood for a pot pie? Marie Callender makes Chik'n and Be'f pot pies (in addition to their "Broccoli & Cheddar Potato Pot Pie")! However, they contain dairy (so Vegetarian, but not Vegan). You could make your own individual pot pie though! This recipe is for a (meat-based) chicken pot pie, but just substitute with your favourite "chicken" strips or marinated frozen/thawed tofu cubes, or just use extra veggies! Use a Veg*n "chicken" broth or a light vegetable broth for the stock. And if you're Vegan, use Vegan Butter for the crust.
For sides, you could make roasted carrots or roasted butternut squash for one (double if you're a couple). These "Toaster Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts" say they make 2 large servings (just halve the recipe if you're solo). As mentioned, I'm not a kale fan, but if you are there's "Kale & Roasted Squash Salad". Add in some stuffing for one (use Veg*n broth. Cranberries are optional), a mini green bean casserole (serves 2), and maybe some "Mashed Potato for One" (or bake a potato, chunk and roast it in a toaster oven, etc. Or just make instant).
Dessert for one? Yes, please! Try a mini pumpkin, sweet potato, or apple pie (I'd suggest using half the sugar for the apple, unless you REALLY like it sweet). Here is a slideshow of single-serve fall desserts ranging from a simple baked apple or apple-cinnamon burrito to pear and apple crisps, pumpkin pudding and pots de crème, and even cookies and mug cakes! Finally, there is this "Small Batch Apple Cider Donuts" recipe (makes 6).
While you're at it, why not watch some harvest-themed horror? I mention a bunch in my "Holiday Horror Movies Throughout The Year Updated" post. An especially good one would be "The Dark Secret of Harvest Home" (1978 TV Mini-series)
I hope you found this entry helpful and informative, and that it makes up for my long bout of radio-silence, lol.
Merry Mabon/Happy Fall, y'all! Until next time....