Cuban Sandwich

The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a classic stuffed sandwich originating from Cuba that has become popular in the United States, especially in Florida. As an Italian cook, I can’t help but emphasize the importance of 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, halved
• Yellow mustard
• Roast pork, thinly sliced
• Cooked ham, thinly sliced
• Swiss cheese, sliced
• Pickles in brine, 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 first roast pork, then ham, Swiss cheese, and finally pickles.
4. Close the sandwich with the other half of the bread.
5. Spread the outside of both halves of the bread with butter.
6. If using a panini press, place the sandwich in the press and cook until the bread is golden and crispy and the cheese is melted, pressing 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 it in half diagonally.

Fun Fact

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

I wish you bon appétit and invite you to try making it with an all-Italian touch, perhaps replacing the cooked ham with some good mortadella or adding a drizzle of olive oil for extra aroma!