On Australia Day, we observe all the things we love about Australia, including the acknowledgement of our people and history that dates back more than 65,000 years — our Indigenous, British and multicultural history.

Given 26 January is a public holiday in Australia, it’s often a chance to get-together with friends and family for one last hurrah before the rigors of the school and work year really kicks in.

We typically mark the day with outdoor concerts, barbecues, sports competitions, festivals and fireworks — and food! So, what are some of the iconic sweet and savoury fare we tend to reach for on Australia Day?

Iconic Australia Day fare

• Meat pie. With a chunky filling of meat topped with pastry, they’re a staple at sporting events and parties and are known for burning many a tongue. Though, we continue to devour them in high quantities!
• Sausage sandwich. The humble sausage sanga is a long-time barbecue staple. Complete with some fried onions and a squirt of tomato sauce, the simple snag is always a winner.
• Lamb. Since 2005, a certain annual advertising campaign has been encouraging us to throw some lamb on the barbecue on Australia Day.
• Lamington. The square-shaped sponge cake coated in chocolate icing and desiccated coconut, invented more than a century ago and named after Queensland’s governor at the time, Lord Lamington.

Ready to try something different this Australia Day?

The thing is, there’s nothing more Australian than Murray Cod. Did you know, that like the kangaroo and koala, the Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) is an iconic native species?

The Murray cod is an ancient species dating back approximately 20 million years to the Miocene age. According to aboriginal mythology, a large Murray cod was responsible for creating the Murray-Darling river system.

Murray cod is endemic to the Murray-Darling river system and was an important and nutritious food source for indigenous Australians as far back as 40,000 years ago — and remains culturally important to this day.

Start a new tradition this Australia Day

If you’re keen to start a new food tradition this year, why not give this Crispy-skin Aquna with asparagus and green bean salad recipe a try?

READ THE RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

WATCH THE HOW-TO-COOK VIDEO

Buy Aquna Murray Cod are your nearest seafood outlet or select Woolworths store.