Cuban Sandwich

The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a classic stuffed sandwich that originated in Cuba and has become popular in the United States, especially in Florida. As an Italian chef, I cannot help but emphasize the importance of the bread: in this case, it would be ideal to use Cuban bread, but if you can’t find it, you could use a baguette or a soft bread that is similar.

Ingredients

• Cuban bread or baguette, split in half
• Yellow mustard
• Roast pork, thinly sliced
• Cooked ham, thinly sliced
• Swiss cheese, sliced
• Pickles, sliced
• Butter, for spreading

Preparation

1. Preheat a panini press or a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Spread one side of the bread with yellow mustard.
3. Assemble the sandwich by layering roast pork first, then ham, Swiss cheese, and finally pickles.
4. Close the sandwich with the other half of the bread.
5. Spread butter on the outside of both halves of the bread.
6. If using a panini press, place the sandwich in the press and cook until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese has melted, pressing down lightly. If using a skillet, place the sandwich in the skillet and weigh it down with something heavy (like another skillet or a brick wrapped in aluminum foil), cooking about 3 minutes per side.
7. Remove the sandwich from the press or skillet, let it rest for a minute, and then cut diagonally in half.

Curiosity

The Cubano is said to have gained popularity among Cuban worker communities in Florida, especially in Tampa and Miami, where the mix of cultures gave birth to this tasty sandwich that combines flavors and culinary traditions of different ethnicities. It is a dish that highlights the importance of immigration in enriching a nation’s cuisine.

I wish you a good appetite and invite you to try preparing it with an all-Italian twist, perhaps substituting the cooked ham with some good mortadella or adding a drizzle of olive oil for an extra aroma!