Food trends, much like fashion, always come back in vogue eventually. Although we acknowledge that some food trends deserve to stay in the past (seriously, the 60s have a lot to answer for), below are 6 retro trends we’re happy to see making a comeback.

Pickles

It’s never been cooler to get pickling and preserving. Spurred by a growing interest in curbing food waste, this is a great way to use up any fruit and veg you have lying around (that 1kg bag of lemons on special seemed like a good idea at the time). Baby carrots are always a winner, or go for an age-old Asian-inspired version by Kylie Kwong’s grandfather. This bread and butter bush batch will lift your sandwich game in a flash.

Prawn cocktails

This ’80s dinner party classic is having its moment, resurrected at the likes of Sydney’s The Unicorn Hotel and at a hipster dinner party near you. There’s no need to stick to the original formula – turn the entree into a salad or even a baguette, add some avo or up the flavour stakes with a smoky mayo. The nostalgia factor will still be strong.

Packaged fruits

Nothing takes us back to the schoolyard days faster than Goulburn Valley™’s packaged fruits. There’s something about their fresh, fruity flavour and subtle sweetness that packs a nostalgic punch. And they’re the ultimate convenient kitchen-hand – add some Goulburn Valley™ Mangoes in Juice to your next seafood salad, or Pears in Juice to your next batch of muffins or syrupy bundt cake.

Toasties

Kids devour them, chefs love them (Darren Purchese wrote an entire book about them, aptly titled Chefs Eat Toasties Too). These nostalgic toasted sandwiches have popped up on menus far and wide, from your local cafe to late-night speakeasies and the fine-dining of Peter Gilmore’s Bennelong. Try this ultimate cheese toastie, go all-out with this gorgonzola, pumpkin and maple-cured bacon version or take the sweet route with an explosive raspberry delight.

Shortbread

Move over macarons. Melting moments may wear the crown of the retro biscuit world, but shortbread in general is enjoying its moment in the sun. Try this nutty, spicy batch of pistachio and pink peppercorn shortbread or this fragrant cardamom take. Then, work your way up to the sandwiched jewel with these zingy passionfruit melting moments.

Trifles

Nothing signals a celebration louder than this multi-layered, tri-coloured dessert classic. Don’t just wait for the festive season to bang one out – trifles are always a crowd-pleaser come dessert time, or even for an indulgent afternoon tea. If you want to up the retro factor again, Matt Moran’s Gaytime trifle will do just that – and then some.