A Cuban sandwich, or “Cubano,” is a delicious pressed sandwich that originated in Florida, with deep roots in Cuban-American culture. It’s known for its savory combination of ingredients, typically including roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, all packed into Cuban bread and then pressed until crispy and warm.

Ingredients:

  • Cuban bread (if unavailable, use French or Italian bread)
  • Roast pork (thinly sliced)
  • Ham (thinly sliced)
  • Swiss cheese
  • Dill pickles (sliced lengthwise)
  • Yellow mustard
  • Butter (for grilling)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Bread:
    • Slice the Cuban bread horizontally. If you can’t find Cuban bread, you can use a baguette or similar type of bread. The bread should be long and crusty.
  2. Assemble the Sandwich:
    • Spread yellow mustard on the inside of both halves of the bread.
    • Layer the roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles on the bottom half of the bread.
    • Place the top half of the bread over the fillings.
  3. Press the Sandwich:
    • Heat a sandwich press or a heavy skillet over medium heat.
    • Butter the outside of the bread, both top and bottom.
    • Place the sandwich in the press or skillet. If using a skillet, press down on the sandwich with another heavy skillet or a weight.
    • Grill the sandwich until the bread is crispy and golden brown, and the cheese has melted, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  4. Serve:
    • Cut the sandwich into halves or quarters, and serve while hot.

The Cuban sandwich is often served with a side of plantain chips or a simple salad. Enjoy!

Image from Wikipedia