If you're tired of turkey and every year you end up with a big mound of uneaten sprouts, it's time to jazz up your Christmas menu.

Most people still go for the traditional turkey but this was only introduced as a Christmas meat in the 19th century.

Beforehand, people would traditionally eat goose or duck. These are tasty alternatives, but turkey is the healthier option as it contains more protein and less fat.

Many families have at least one vegetarian to cater for and it can be difficult to come up with something more imaginative than a ready-made nut roast.

Rosa Paden-Powell's festive butternut squash and stilton pie is an ideal Christmas treat as it gives vegetarians a special meal, which can also be enjoyed by meat-eaters as a side to their turkey and trimmings. For a lighter version, a crumble topping can be used instead of piecrust.

This festive pie is also good for busy people as the filling can be made the day before.

It can be cooked while the turkey is resting, to avoid any squabbles over oven space.

Often Christmas staples like brussel sprouts get boiled to death and so people think they don't like them.

Try these new ideas to give traditional vegetables a makeover.

Brussel sprouts have a bad name. Try them glazed with honey or add almonds and butter to them after they've been steamed.

A tasty alternative is to cut up the sprouts and stir-fry with some soy sauce and ginger, this spice also goes well with steamed spinach and other greens.

It's rare to find someone who doesn't like roast potatoes but for those on a diet it can be frustrating having to turn them down.

The tastiest roast potatoes are cooked using goose or duck fat, but are high in fat.

Slimmers can enjoy dry-roasted sweet potatoes for a healthier alternative or try par-boiling your normal potatoes and then dry roasting with a pinch of salt.

Don't feel that you have to cook certain foods just because it's Christmas. If no one in your family eats cabbage, leave it out. Try replacing it with a popular vegetable instead or add it to something else where the taste is not so obvious.

Inevitably there will be some leftovers as most people cook far too much. Pop all the vegetables in a frying pan with a bit of butter and enjoy some bubble n' squeak - you'll be glad of the break from turkey by Boxing Day.

  • Who Cares in Melksham is a supermarket selling local, organic, fair-trade and ethical foods for Christmas, including meat.