We do love ham and cheese but this one here is more than just your regular ham and cheese sandwich. Now that the weather is warmer for some parts of U.S., it’s finally time to say goodbye to all the stews and heavy carbs. Hibernation is now over, friend!
This time, I’m making another homemade sandwich for a little send-off backyard party. Oh boy, these got the highest approval from my family. I just want to make this every time I’m having some roast pork on the menu.
What is Cuban sandwich?
This sandwich is said to be a common lunch food for workers in the cigar factories and sugar mills in Cuba. Since then, it was brought to Florida in the late 1800s, especially in Key West and Tampa, by Cubans who frequently sailed back and forth for employment, vacation or family visits. From then on, this Cuban Sandwich is popularly served on cafeterias across the U.S. with different variations. While there is still a debate on how the original Cuban Sandwich is prepared, all I know is that it’s a ham and cheese sandwich that has a lot to offer. Let’s break it down.
What’s in a Cuban sandwich?
Roasted Pork. This sandwich is also packed with slices of delectable savory roasted pork. For an authentic Cuban flavor, some would marinate the pork in a mojo sauce with orange juice, lime juice, garlic and oregano. Check it out here Dill Pickles. I might be a little bias here, but dill pickles certainly adds a great layer of flavor to this Cuban Sandwich. I sliced it thinly lengthwise so the flavor will meld well with the rest of the ingredients. Mustard. The mustard acts as a base and a moistening agent to the bread by spreading it over on each bread half on both sides. This will also hold all the other ingredients in place. You can also moisten the bread with mayo or simply butter.
What cheese should I use for this Cuban sandwich?
Ham and Cheese. For this recipe, I use provolone cheese as I think they’re best for panini as they have intense flavor when melted – smoky, nutty and mild. Your best alternative to provolone on this recipe would be Swiss cheese.
What type of bread should I use?
Bread. A real Cuban loaf is typically a long white loaf with a distinct softness which allows it to crisp nicely without getting so hard. But if it’s not in your neck of woods, you can buy instead something similar to that on Puerto Rican, Mexican and Dominican bakeries or a French or Italian bread that is not too crusty. Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients and slice them down neatly. You can start assembling your Cuban Sandwich and press it down using a Panini Press HERE or grill them outside. Just don’t push the bread too hard or else it’ll squeeze out the juices and make the bread soggy.
Add some plantain chips on the side and lots of beer when serving this smokey, nutty and tasty Cuban sandwich! Want more sandwiches like these for picnics? You may like my Muffuletta Sandwich HERE, South African Grilled Cheese Sandwich OR this Steak and Peppers Sandwich. Go grab a huge bite! Tips and Notes:
