Ghost Pepper

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

Don't cry, Ghost Pepper.  We're also sad that today is the last day of Vegan MoFo. But look on the bright-side: today is Halloween and you managed to score a pretty rad costume.  Oh wait, what is that?  You're only tearing up because you accidentally got some of your own hot pepper juice in your eye?

In honor of today, the Kale Crusaders would like to host a last supper of sorts that is bound to make you tear up just a little bit (if not from nostalgia, at least due to spice).  Here's the menu:

Appetizer:  Hot Sriracha Roasted Chickpeas
Main:  Barbecued Garbanzo Sliders
Side:  Cajun Corn Salad
Dessert:  Apple and Poblano Pepper Pie
Beverage:  Orange Watermelon & Jalapeño Mimosa

Thanks for tuning in to our month of food cartoons!  It was a fun challenge and hopefully we will have some more cartoon ideas for Vegan MoFo 2013!

Seitan

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

Our next contestant is a polarizing figure among those who are polarized by food matters.  Love him or hate him, Seitan Satan and his gluttonous brethren are ubiquitous in the world of meat-substitutes.

Whether you're a seitan newbie or a member of the seitan lecture circuit, sink your teeth into some basic seitan, seitan mushroom roast, candied vegan ham, and delicatessen vegan corned beef on rye.  Let us know what you think!

Pear

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

Things just took a turn for the spooky here at the Costume Parade.  Our next contestant is the rotund Vampire Pear or Vam-pear for short.  Rather than focus on the dark and icky details of vampire lore, let's admire Vam-pear's fabulous vampire ensemble, including a vest and a cummerbund.

Finally, let's not overlook some other fabulous pear ensemble pieces in pear apple ginger juice, tangy tahini pear dressing, roasted pear, roasted pepper, chedda' & sauerkraut quesadillas, pear galette, and pear gelato.

Swiss Chard II

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

Up next is the one and only Julia Chard.  With a permanent but always sincere smile on her face and a you-can-do-anything attitude, we are kind of speechless in the presence of this legend.  Cheers to you, Julia, and bon appétit!

In your honor we have prepared some snacks, including roasted cauliflower, garlic and swiss chard soup, Indian spiced lentils with quinoa, kale and swiss chard,  swiss chard and mushroom enchiladas, and garlicky swiss chard with white beans.

P.S. So concludes the fourth week of the costume parade, featuring celebrity costumes. Next week we'll present our final three spooky costumes as the month of October closes out. Stay tuned!

Cucumber

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

In addition to being a famous rapper in the 90's, did you know that Coolio is an accomplished cookbook author?  Honestly, we didn't know either.

Coolio, for your next cookbook, may we suggest recipes for chilled cucumber tahini soup with basil, vegan tzatziki sauce, cucumber hummus, and marinated cucumber banchan?

P.S. Check out this accidentally vegan and over-the-top Cookin' with Coolio video.

Daikon

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

Today's contestant, Dick Van Daikon, decided to reprise his role as the beloved Bert from Mary Poppins.  Looking so swank in pinstripes, Mr. Van Daikon also carries the show in pickled daikon and avocado salad, vegan kimchee, daikon and mustard pickle, and Japanese Cajun gumbo.

Monstera Fruit

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

It is hard to see our little Dora the Explorer / Monstera the Explorer grow up and enter the tween rebellion stage. This year, in an effort to shed her image of a sweet goodie two shoes, Dora opted out of  a traditional monster costume in favor of a delicious monster costume.

Keep in mind that monstera fruit is potentially poisonous and requires proper ripening and preparation before eating so you don't get sick.  More details on preparation and taste on the food blog.

Currant

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to our next contestant, Clark Currant (a super man indeed!).  Sweet, mysterious, and always ready to lend a helping hand, Mr. Currant swoops in to save the day in pumpkin spice oatmeal, toasted quinoa and carrot salad, acorn squash stuffed with buckwheat and currants, and even fruit digestive biscuits.

Cowpea

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

So, um, Contestant #15, we don't quite get it: where did you get your name?  [The parade pauses as Cowpea responds politely to the host.]  Apparently cowpea is another name for the black-eyed pea: the bean with the cool birthmark.

Fortunately there's no mistaking the awesomeness of the cowpea / black-eyed pea in black eyed pea fritters, black-eyed pea and collard green chili, black-eyed pea burgers, and even black-eyed pea pizza crust.

P.S. So concludes the third week of the costume parade, featuring animal costumes. Next week we'll present our favorite celebrity costumes. Stay tuned!

Lobster Mushroom

In October, we're posting one Costume Parade cartoon per weekday as part of Vegan MoFo. Want to go to the beginning of the Costume Parade? Start with some candy corn!

Coming in from what appears to be another planet is our next contestant, Lobster Mushroom.  Lobster Mushroom says, "Though I am neither a lobster nor a mushroom, I am delicious and come in peace."

Speaking of out of this world, check out Lobster Mushroom in previous expeditions, including lobster mushroom bisque, lobster mushroom crispy spring rolls, lobster mushroom tostada tower, and lobster mushroom corn risotto.