Sweet Munchies: Things to Eat on Australia Day

“Everyone is in such a good mood when they’ve eaten well.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Vocation of a Gadfly

January 26 is commemorated as Australia Day. Australia’s national day is the day wherein all Aussies, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, and ethnicity, forget their differences and celebrate their pride in their great nation.

Just like the 4^th of July in the USA, January 26 is celebrated with great aplomb and fanfare by Australians. It is a day of fun and relaxation with friends and family. Like any good holiday, the Australia Day celebrations remain incomplete without a feast. Like Bucchianieri wrote, good food is a must for creating a general good mood among people.

Without further ado, let us look at an array of food that is bound to make your Australia Day celebrations delectable.

Sausage Sanga

Barbeques are a must on Australia Day. The aroma of meat wafting from the barbeque grill tantalizes the senses. The sausage sanga is a must at any good barbeque party. The taste of sausage on bread with a dollop of tomato sauce is bound to make you hungry and crave more. You can also add onions, different sauces, and crusty bread rolls to your sausage sanga.

Burger with the Lot

You may be thinking that hamburgers are undoubtedly American. Well, think again. Aussies have given their own twist by adding their own out-of-the-world flavors to their burger with a lot. The huge burgers boast pineapples, beetroots, eggs, and bacon on top of a meat pattie, cheese, and salad on a bun. Australia’s rendition of a burger with a lot is huge and filling. It is a great addition to the Australia Day menu.

Lamb

Take it or leave it, lambs are an undeniable part of Australia Day. Lamb can be prepared in many forms like cutlets, chops, racks, or roasts. Irrespective of the recipe, a slice of lamb is bound to make you and your friend happy this Australia Day.

Damper

Dampers are yummy and easy to bake. Traditional homemade soda bread has been a part of Australian cuisine since the first settlers arrived in the untamed country. Even today, it is enjoyed by many. If you wish to spice it up, you can easily add cheese, pumpkins, olives, and herbs to dampers to fit your taste. Dampers are great additions to the menu of Australia Day as they not fill you up but are also a nod to the nation’s history.

Meat Pies

Meat pies have been a staple in Australian menus ever since the First Fleet arrived on the shores in 1788. George Sargent further popularized the flaky pastry filled with minced meat gravy by commercially producing them since 1891. Today, meat pies are found in any good Australian party or sporting event. An Australia Day get-together remains incomplete without traditional meat pies. Fun fact, an average Aussie eats about twelve meat pies a year.

Lamington

Lamingtons are sponge cakes coated in chocolate icing and sprinkled with coconut. Undoubtedly, these square-shaped confections are a fan favorite. They even come in two halves filled with a layer of jam and cream. Invented over a century ago, the treats were named after Queensland’s then governor, Lord Lamington. Today, their immense popularity among Aussies has led to the celebration of National Lamington Day on July 21. They are a perfect dessert for Australia Day as they are not only scrumptious but also symbolize national pride. 

Tim Tam

Tim tams are guilty pleasures for any chocolate lover. Who wouldn’t like two chocolate biscuits filled with chocolate cream and dipped in chocolate? Sounds mouth-watering, doesn’t it? First created by Ian Norris in 1964, the biscuits were named after the 1958 Kentucky Derby winner by Ross Arnott. Today, more than 45 million packets of Tim Tams are sold every year. They make for great snacks for children on Australia Day.

Pavlova

Anna Pavlova was a renowned Russian ballerina. Now, you must be wondering what she has to do with Australian food. Anna Pavlova visited both Australia and New Zeeland in the 1920s. In her honor, a delectable dessert was whipped up. The light and airy meringue-based concoction has a crisp crust and a soft center filled with whipped cream and fresh fruit. Long after the ballerina’s passing, the pavlova continues to delight us. It is the perfect symbol of the Aussie culinary arts and hence, a wonderful dessert for Australia Day.

Vegemite

Every Aussie has had vegemite, an Australian food spread that first hit the shelves in 1923. Created by Cyril Callister in 1922, vegemite has a plethora of functions. It can be added to casseroles, layered in rolls, and spread on bread, toast, or crackers. You can start your Australia Day morning with vegemite toast or vegemite cheesy rolls. After all, vegemite is as Aussie as Aussie can be.

Salads

We all need something healthy on our menus. Salads can be that healthy option when we have our barbeques or our fancy dinners. Instead of the same old boring salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce, you can whip up exciting and filling salad recipes like Red Onion or Barbequed Pumpkin.

Chiko Roll

Chinese spring rolls have always been a hit everywhere in the world. Frank McEncroe came up with the chiko roll to counter spring rolls. The chiko roll was first made available to the public in the 1951 Wagga Wagga Agriculture Show. Then, it was misleadingly called chicken roll, despite having no chicken. Now manufactured by Simplot, the snack has become a staple takeaway for Australians. Chiko rolls can be great appetizers on your Australia Day menu.

Conclusion

Australian food is savory and mouth-wateringly delicious. Over the years, Aussies have added delightful flavors to their cuisine. Australia Day is the perfect time to enjoy some delectable Australian food. This list consists of a number of scrumptious food items that epitomize Australian culture.

Do comment and let me know your favorite Aussie food. Which of the above Aussie dishes will you add to your menu this Australia Day?