The Times Australia
Google AI
The Times Food and Dining

.

Fresh Ideas for Celebrating the Year of the Snake

  • Written by Jayne Travers-Drapes, Co-Founder of Box Divvy

The Lunar New Year is here, and with it comes the Year of the Snake—a time for fresh beginnings, family connections, and, of course, delicious food. As celebrations kick off, Australian families are turning to summer’s bounty of fresh produce to create vibrant, meaningful meals that honour tradition.

Food, Family, and the Spirit of the Season
The Year of the Snake is about wisdom, mindfulness, and connection. Sharing meals with loved ones, trying new recipes, and cooking together all strengthen those bonds. Whether it’s a simple stir-fry or a grand Lunar New Year feast, the food you prepare can reflect your values, honour traditions, and inspire joy.

Snake beans take centre stage this year. With their long, elegant shape symbolising longevity and prosperity, they are a natural fit for Lunar New Year dishes. Paired with other seasonal stars like bok choy, sweet corn, carrots and dragon fruit, these ingredients bring both flavour and intention to festive feasts.

Seasonal Ingredients to Celebrate the Year of the Snake

This time of year offers a wealth of fresh, locally grown produce to elevate your Lunar New Year table:

  • Snake Beans: Crisp, versatile, and symbolic of long life, these are perfect in stir-fries, salads, or even as a crunchy side.

  • Bok Choy and Asian Greens: A staple for quick, healthy dishes, these greens shine when paired with garlic, ginger, or oyster sauce.

  • Sweet Corn: Add a sweet, vibrant touch to dumplings, soups, or grilled dishes for a modern twist.

  • Carrots and Root Vegetables: Their natural sweetness and versatility make them ideal for hearty vegetarian dishes that bring warmth and colour to your spread.

  • Dragon Fruit: With its vibrant red skin and mildly sweet flesh, dragon fruit is an exotic and nutritious addition to your table. It’s packed with antioxidants, fibre, and vitamins, making it as healthy as it is beautiful.

Celebrating Fresh Beginnings with Fresh Produce

Lunar New Year is a wonderful reminder to embrace the seasons. By choosing what’s fresh and local, we’re not only enjoying better flavour and nutrition—we’re also supporting Australian farmers and celebrating the abundance of summer’s harvest.

At Box Divvy, we’re passionate about connecting communities with fresh, seasonal produce that’s sourced locally. Our local Food Hubs make it easy to eat well while supporting small-scale farmers. This Lunar New Year, it’s easier than ever to prepare meals that are both meaningful and delicious.

As you plan your celebrations, remember that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to connect, to celebrate, and to look forward with hope and intention. Together, let’s make the Year of the Snake a time of abundance, health, and happiness.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Food & Dining

Macca’s is bringing pub-style vibes to the menu with the new Bistro Béarnaise Angus range

Two indulgent Aussie Angus burgers – plus the arrival of Kirks Lemon, Lime & Bitters – the  ultimate feed has landed at Macca’s!  25 February 2026: Aussies love a good pub feed – and now, Macca’s is serving up its own  seriously delicious ta...

IFTAR Turns Up The Heat With The Return of Ramadan Nights From 18 February

Iftar returns to IFTAR, with the Western Sydney favourite opening after dark for Ramadan  IFTAR introduces Ramadan Nights with a new evening service and dedicated Ramadan menu An after-dark dining experience built for post-sunset feasting and...

The past year saw three quarters of struggling households in NSW & ACT experience food insecurity for the first time – yet the wealth of Australia’s top income earners grew by almost $600,000 a da…

Everyday Australians are struggling to make ends meet, with the cost-of-living crisis the major cause of concern for households across NSW and the ACT.  Data from the 2025 Foodbank Hunger Report showed one in three households in NSW and the ACT ex...

Single and Ready to Mingle – the Coffee Trend Australians Can Expect in 2026

Single-origin coffee is expected to increase in popularity among coffee drinkers over the next 12 months, as the global trend makes its way to Australia. Australians’ love for coffee is well documented, with an estimated 16.3million cups consumed ...

Times Magazine

Governance Models for Headless CMS in Large Organizations

Where headless CMS is adopted by large enterprises, governance is the single most crucial factor d...

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Robotic Vacuum and Mop Cleaner

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5)Category: Premium Robot Vacuum & Mop ComboBest for: Busy households, ha...

Shark launches SteamSpot - the shortcut for everyday floor mess

Shark introduces the Shark SteamSpot Steam Mop, a lightweight steam mop designed to make everyda...

Game Together, Stay Together: Logitech G Reveals Gaming Couples Enjoy Higher Relationship Satisfaction

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many lovebirds across Australia are planning for the m...

AI threatens to eat business software – and it could change the way we work

In recent weeks, a range of large “software-as-a-service” companies, including Salesforce[1], Se...

Worried AI means you won’t get a job when you graduate? Here’s what the research says

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, has warned[1] young people ...

The Times Features

Oztent RV tent range. Buy with caution

A review of the Oztent RV "30 second tent" range. Three years ago we bought an RV-4 from BCF Mack...

Essential Upgrades for a Smarter, Safer Australian Home

As we settle into 2026, the concept of the "dream home" has fundamentally shifted. The focus has m...

How To Modernise Your Home Without Overcapitalising

For many Australian homeowners, the dream of a "Grand Designs" transformation is often checked by ...

The Art of the Big Trip: Planning a Seamless Multi-Generational Getaway in Tropical North Queensland

There is a unique magic to the multi-generational holiday. It is a rare opportunity where gr...

Love Without Borders: ‘Second Marriage At First Sight’ Opens Casting Call for Melbourne Singles Willing to Relocate for Romance

Fans of Married At First Sight UK and Married At First Sight Australia are about to see the expe...

Macca’s is bringing pub-style vibes to the menu with the new Bistro Béarnaise Angus range

Two indulgent Aussie Angus burgers – plus the arrival of Kirks Lemon, Lime & Bitters – the  ...

What are your options if you can’t afford to repay your mortgage?

After just three rate cuts in 2025, interest rates have risen again[1] in Australia this year. I...

Small, realistic increases in physical activity shown to significantly reduce risk of early death

Just Five Minutes More a Day Could Prevent Thousands of Deaths, Landmark Study Finds Small, rea...

Inside One Global resorts: The Sydney Stay Hosting This Season of MAFS Australia

As Married At First Sight returns to Australian screens in 2026, viewers are once again getting a ...