Here is what (one) American thinks of Australia Day Food

1. Meat pies with tomato sauce (aka ketchup)

First of all meat pies here are like a classic hangover food (or so I would think). You’ve got your juicy “meat,” and I say that because I’m not actually sure what part of the cow(?) it’s from but it has so much filling, which is delicious, that you almost can’t find the meat and it doesn’t matter. Then you have all the carbs from the flaky crust, which is buttery and perfect to stifle your unsettled stomach. And because it’s Australia, you put tomato sauce on it (which is actually just ketchup) and there is your veggie to make you feel healthy. So because Australia Day is just a day filled with BBQ and drinking, the meat pie is a perfect addition to anyone’s plate for the day of and the day after a big night of drinking.

2. Lamingtons

AKA little pillows of heaven. This is like the best thing to ever come out of Australia. I mean you have the moistest sponge cake you will ever dream of, dipped in chocolate and covered in coconut. It just doesn’t get better. You can eat like a hundred of these without even noticing…which is not a problem because calories don’t count on holidays.

3. Classic Aussie Barbecue

When Americans think of Australian barbecue we immediately think of Outback Steakhouse, which is absolutely nothing like the real thing. A classic Aussie bbq consists of a large piece of meat, usually lamb or even kangaroo (if you know how to cook it right), and some sausages. Aussies love a good sausage sizzle, and they’re way better than your run-of-the-mill American hot dog. Throw some veggies and grab yourself a VB, Australia’s version of Bud Light, and some backyard cricket. Definitely rivals the all-American BBQ on all fronts.

Put all three of those things together and you’ve got yourself a party to remember (or not).