The Clash of the 'Duckens: Turducken vs. Veggieducken

Get the recipe for the classic turducken and a new vegetarian version with squash, leek and potatoes.
By: Lindsay Damast

Related To:

For some, preparing a meal for 20 and plotting out courses weeks in advance is simply child's play. These brazen Thanksgiving hosts have met no potato they could not mash into submission; no turkey they could not tame with some trussing; no lattice top pie they could not weave to perfection. They laugh in the face of your determined menu planning.

These Thanksgiving pros roast no mere turkey for their Thanksgiving meal. They prepare a main dish of the more legendary fashion -- the Turducken: a deboned chicken and deboned duck layered in the cavity of a turkey, all sewn back up and roasted. To serve, one slices right down the middle, showing off the meaty layers. It is truly a Thanksgiving dish that can't be beat. Or so we thought, until we learned about the Veggieducken -- a four-vegetable behemoth with even more distinct layers and varied flavors (and easier-than-it-looks preparation, to boot.)

Which 'ducken is the more extreme option for these fearless feasters? Watch the videos below and decide.

For those who crave three times the poultry, Chuck Hughes layers his birds with oyster-and-sausage cornbread stuffing and an aromatic truffle:

Can a vegetable-based main dish truly stand out among a sea of sides? Dan Pashman brings a giant banana squash to turducken-like levels by lining its cavity with yams, onion stuffing and leeks before baking:

Which 'ducken would you pick? Tell us in the comments.

Get the recipes:

Next Up

Don't Forget to Decorate: Thanksgiving Table Ideas

Get ideas for decorating your Thanksgiving table (traditional, modern and rustic).

Start Your Thanksgiving Meal with Maple Pecan Baked Brie

There is a simple solution to alleviate the stress of the most anticipated meal of the year: start with appetizers.

For the Love of Stuffing (And Dressing, Too)

Get the best Thanksgiving dressing and stuffing recipes from the chefs at Cooking Channel.

Everything You Need to Ace Thanksgiving

Follow our schedule to get ready for Thanksgiving with recipes, how-tos and tips.

A Mini Thanksgiving Dinner for Two

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner for two? Get our easy recipes for the complete feast.

Alton Brown Shares His Top Turkey Tips

Alton Brown shares his top tips for cooking the perfect turkey, from his brine recipe to how to tell when the bird is done cooking.

Sneak Peek: Cooking Channel's Feast of Thanksgiving Shows

Here are some of the shows Cooking Channel will air in November so that you can make your family think you're a master cook.

The Voltaggio Brothers Will Get You Through Thanksgiving

Chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio can help you take on Thanksgiving without the stress.

Quick Thanksgiving Recipes for Last-Minute Preparation

Get some of our fastest and easiest recipes for Thanksgiving including sides, desserts and appetizeres.

On TV

So Much Pretty Food Here