Super Ham and Cheese
A Pressed Cubano Sandwich is Perfect For Hungry Superbowl Viewers
This Addictive Food Enjoyed By Cuban Workers As Early As 1900, Features Ham and Roast Pork, Swiss Cheese, Mustard and Pickles.
The Cubano or Cuban Sandwich is a traditional snack food of Cuban factory employees that immigrated to Florida with these workers. First made popular in the immigrant town of Ybor City in Tampa, it then spread throughout Southern Florida. Some sources say it was just called a sandwich or mixto sandwich until its relocation in the New World. The mixto being a Cuban word for mixed because of two varieties of pork being combined in this creation.
Mojo pork is roasted with a citrus and garlic marinade, thinly sliced, and then layered with ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles. The ingredient aficionados say is mandatory, is Cuban Bread. This light airy bread is a long roll similar to Italian or French bread, but made with lard instead of olive oil. The contrasting flavors of the spiced meat, sweet ham, sour pickles and tangy Swiss cheese create quite a harmonious marriage when griddled and pressed together in the Cuban Bread
As the sandwich traveled so did variations on the theme. It is said that Italian Immigrants who also lived in Ybor city added Genoa Salami or Mortadella to the mix. Another similar sandwich called the media noche or midnight sandwich, is a popular snack for hungry midnight club-goers.
The Superbowl is a great time to feature a different sandwich like this. Also great for outdoour tailgating type events, these can be pre-made and then grilled when ready. This fabulous Superbowl Sandwiches, would also be great lined up to make a 3 or 6 foot display on your table for an eye-catcher. As mention above, you can add Italian Cold Cuts to the mix to change the threme of the sandwich. .
- 4 Cuban Rolls or soft Italian bread
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/4 pound baked ham, thinly sliced
- 1/4 pound roast pork, thinly sliced
- 1/4 pound Swiss, thinly sliced
- 10 thin dill pickle slices, approximately 2 whole pickles
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
- Slice the bread in half , lay it open, and spread each side with the mustard.
- Divide the ingredients among the sliced rolls
- Heat a grill pan on top of the stove (see note) or a Foreman grill.
- Lightly butter each side of the rolls and place the sandwiches inside
- Press down on the sandwiches and grill until the cheese is melted and the bread is flat and crisped on the exterior. Cut in half serving warm to your hungry Superbowl viewers.
Note: If you don't have a sandwich press, you can wrap a brick in foil to weight the sandwich down.
