Cheese Choice: The Cuban Sub's Signature Ingredient

The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a variation of a ham and cheese sandwich. The traditional cheese used in a Cuban sandwich is Swiss cheese. However, some people prefer to use Manchego cheese. The sandwich is made with ham, mojo, roasted pork, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread.

Swiss cheese is the most popular choice

The Swiss cheese used in a Cuban sub is typically sliced thinly, allowing it to melt easily when the sandwich is grilled or toasted. This helps to create a cohesive sandwich where all the ingredients are bound together. The mild flavour of Swiss cheese also ensures that it does not overpower the other components of the sub, creating a well-balanced bite.

In addition to its taste and texture, Swiss cheese also has a higher melting point than other cheeses, which is advantageous for a hot sandwich. This means that the cheese will not become greasy or overly melted, ensuring that the Cuban sub maintains its structural integrity. The higher melting point also allows for a greater window of time in which the sandwich can be served and enjoyed while still hot and crispy.

While Swiss cheese is the most popular and traditional choice, some variations of the Cuban sub may use other types of cheese. For example, Manchego cheese has been suggested as an alternative, offering a slightly different flavour profile with a more intense, nutty taste. However, for an authentic Cuban sub experience, Swiss cheese is the preferred option.

The combination of Swiss cheese with the other classic ingredients in a Cuban sub creates a harmonious blend of flavours and textures. The saltiness of the cheese, the savouriness of the meats, and the tanginess of the pickles come together to form a delightful culinary experience. This is why Swiss cheese is the most popular and beloved choice for this sandwich.

Manchego is a good alternative

A traditional Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is made with Swiss cheese. However, if you're looking for an alternative, Manchego is a good option.

Manchego is a popular Spanish cheese with a rich, nutty flavor and aroma. It is made from the milk of Manchega sheep, known for their high-quality milk. There are four main categories of Manchego cheese, determined by their aging process: Fresco, Semicurado, Curado, and Viejo. The aging process gives Manchego its distinctive flavor, with young Manchego having a mild, slightly tangy taste, and aged Manchego developing a richer, more robust flavor with hints of caramel and nuts.

When choosing a substitute for Swiss cheese in a Cuban sandwich, it is important to consider flavor, texture, and melting capability. Manchego has a similar flavor profile to Swiss cheese, with both cheeses offering a combination of mild, sweet, and nutty notes. In terms of texture, Manchego ranges from semi-soft to hard, depending on its age, which makes it suitable for slicing or grating. While Swiss cheese melts well, Manchego also has a good melting capacity and can be used in recipes requiring melted cheese without losing its structure.

In addition to its flavor and texture, Manchego also has a distinct salty taste that pairs well with cured meats, olives, almonds, and red wine, making it a versatile ingredient for sandwiches and other dishes. Its versatility and distinctive characteristics make it a popular choice for those looking for a tasty alternative to traditional Swiss cheese in a Cuban sandwich.

In Tampa, it's traditional to add salami

The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a variation of a ham and cheese sandwich that likely originated in cafes catering to Cuban workers in Tampa or Key West, Florida. The sandwich is made with ham, mojo, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread.

In Tampa, it is traditional to add salami to the Cuban sandwich. This is a major point of contention in the friendly rivalry between Tampa and Miami, the two early Cuban immigrant communities in Florida, over whose version of the Cubano is best. The Tampa contingent believes that salami adds a desirable layer of saltiness to the sandwich. This belief is supported by the fact that in 2012, the Tampa City Council voted to name the "Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich" as the city's official "signature sandwich".

The first recorded mentions of a distinct Cuban sandwich survive in descriptions of workers' cafés in Ybor City and nearby West Tampa from around 1900. The influence of Italian immigrants who lived side by side with Cubans and Spaniards in Ybor City at the beginning of the 20th century is likely responsible for the inclusion of salami in Tampa's version of the Cubano. A travel article published by the Mason City Globe Gazette in 1934 described a Tampa Cuban sandwich as a "complete meal" consisting of ham, lean pork, Swiss cheese, soft salami, dill pickle, and a "liberal moistening of mustard" served on "very crisp and crusty" Cuban bread.

In Key West, a Cuban mix includes lettuce and tomato

The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a variation of a ham and cheese sandwich that likely originated in cafes catering to Cuban workers in the early Cuban immigrant communities of Tampa and Key West, Florida. The traditional Cuban sandwich is made with ham, mojo, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread. The inclusion of salami is a major point of contention in the rivalry between Tampa and Miami, with Tampa Cubanos featuring salami due to the influence of Italian immigrants, and Miami Cubanos keeping it simple without.

In Key West, a Cuban mix includes shredded lettuce and tomatoes, which some may consider to be too fussy. This variant is also known as a "mixto" or "Cuban mix", and is usually served with mayonnaise. The original Key West Cuban sandwich is said to have been a complete meal, and the addition of lettuce and tomato may have been a way to make the sandwich more filling and nutritious.

While the traditional Cuban sandwich does not include lettuce and tomato, the "Cuban mix" variant is a popular choice in Key West and may be a fun option for those looking to switch up the classic Cubano. Whether you're a traditionalist or an adventurer, the Cuban sandwich is a delicious option that can be tailored to your taste preferences.

Medianoche is a similar sandwich, served on egg bread

The Medianoche is a similar sandwich to the traditional Cuban sandwich, but it is served on a different type of bread. While the Cuban sandwich is made with Cuban bread, the Medianoche is served on egg bread. This bread is similar to challah and is softer and sweeter than Cuban bread. The name "Medianoche" means midnight in Spanish, and the sandwich likely originated as a late-night snack in the nightclubs of Havana.

The Medianoche contains the same ingredients as the Cuban sandwich but is smaller in size. The traditional Cuban sandwich is made with ham, mojo, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread. The main difference between the Medianoche and the Cuban sandwich is the type of bread used and the size of the sandwich. The Medianoche is served on egg bread, which is softer and sweeter, and it is also a smaller sandwich.

The Cuban sandwich is a popular dish in Florida, especially in Tampa and Miami, where there is a long-running friendly rivalry between the two cities over which city makes the best Cuban sandwich. The main regional disagreement regarding the sandwich involves the inclusion of salami, with Tampa Cubanos traditionally including it and Miami Cubanos leaving it out.

The Medianoche is a less well-known variation of the Cuban sandwich, but it is just as delicious. It is a smaller sandwich, served on egg bread, which gives it a slightly different taste and texture compared to the traditional Cuban sandwich. This sandwich is a great option for those who want to experience a twist on the classic Cuban dish.

The Medianoche is a sandwich that originated in Cuba, and it has a unique place in the country's culinary culture. It is a variation of the traditional Cuban sandwich, and its name and ingredients reflect its Cuban heritage. The Medianoche is a smaller sandwich, and its use of egg bread sets it apart from the traditional Cuban sandwich, offering a slightly different taste and texture.

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