In an oddly dispirited blog post, Mark Bittman writes:
Like every day in America, the Fourth of July is a celebration of protein. But the Fourth is a special day for burgers and ribs, not beans and rice, a day with contests to see who can eat the most hot dogs, not the most veggie patties. If you’re anti-meat, the Fourth of July can feel anti-you.
He then cites some pretty amazing statistics (can 50% of Americans really be aware of the Meatless Monday meme?) and reasons for cutting back on meat. But then he capitulates to the all-beef burger and hot dog with this:
The Fourth of July may not be the day to trade in your hot dog, but the following Monday is a good one for beans and rice.
Mark, we can do better! YOU do better already! Read more after the fold.
The Fourth of July is a grilling holiday and a celebration of our wildly diverse backgrounds. It's the perfect time to take advantage the grill's built in umami (the satisfying "fifth taste" found in meat, mushrooms, tahini, and elsewhere.)
I just posted a recipe for Grilled Socca, coincidently based on the first recipe of Mark Bittman's that I ever made and still one of my favorites. To quote myself:
What is this thing called socca? It's a flat pancake made from chickpea flour cooked at high heat in a cast-iron pan. Crispy on the inside, creamy on the outside, and totally addictive, socca is like a healthier version of french fries.
But there are plenty of other vegetarian and vegan ways to celebrate Independence Day, many of which blend in so well with the burgers and hot dogs that your Aunt Gloria may not even notice you're not eating any animals.