Andy Montoya
The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a variation of a ham and cheese sandwich that likely originated in cafes catering to Cuban workers in Florida. The sandwich is made with ham, mojo, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread. The main regional disagreement regarding the sandwich is the inclusion of salami, with Tampa including it and Miami omitting it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Swiss cheese, Gruyere Swiss cheese |
| Type of bread | Cuban bread, French bread, Italian bread |
| Other ingredients | Ham, roast pork, pulled pork, pickles, mustard, dill pickle, mojo pork, Genoa salami, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic cloves, onion, honey-glazed ham, salted butter, olive oil, lime juice, light brown sugar, kosher salt, smoked black pepper |
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What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese is the traditional choice for a Cuban sandwich
Gruyere is a semi-hard, pale yellow Swiss cheese made from whole milk. It's the ultimate melting cheese, with a slightly sweet and salty taste, and a creamy, nutty flavour. Its strong flavour cuts through the richness of the Cubano.
When making a Cuban sandwich, it's important to start and finish with the cheese. This is because it's the "melty glue" that holds all the sandwich components together.
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Gruyere cheese is a popular alternative to Swiss cheese
When it comes to the Cuban sandwich, there are a few key ingredients that make it stand out: slow-roasted pork, tangy pickles, mustard, and of course, cheese. While Swiss cheese is the traditional choice, Gruyere cheese is a popular alternative that offers a slightly different flavour profile.
Gruyere cheese is a type of Swiss cheese, known for its semi-hard, pale yellow texture. It is made with whole milk, giving it a slightly sweet and salty taste with a creamy, nutty flavour. This combination of sweetness and nuttiness cuts through the richness of the Cuban sandwich, which typically includes layers of meat, such as ham and roast pork, as well as tangy pickles and mustard.
The reason Gruyere cheese works so well as a substitute for Swiss cheese is that it melts beautifully, creating a cohesive sandwich where all the ingredients come together perfectly. Its melting properties are especially important in a Cuban sandwich, as the sandwich is typically pressed or grilled, resulting in a crispy exterior and a warm, cheesy interior.
When choosing Gruyere cheese for your Cuban sandwich, opt for a block of cheese from the specialty cheese section of your grocery store, or ask for it to be thinly sliced at the deli counter. This will ensure the best flavour and texture for your sandwich.
Whether you choose Swiss or Gruyere cheese, the key is to use quality ingredients to create a delicious, mouthwatering Cuban sandwich that hits all the right flavour notes. So, the next time you're craving a Cuban, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese to find your perfect combination.
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Salami is included in the Tampa Cuban sandwich
The Tampa Cuban sandwich typically includes other ingredients such as garlicky marinated pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and Cuban bread. The sandwich is grilled and pressed, creating a crispy exterior and a melty interior.
The inclusion of salami in the Tampa Cuban sandwich adds a layer of salty flavour to the already decadent sandwich. In 2012, the Tampa City Council designated the Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich as the "signature sandwich of the city of Tampa", recognising its unique and beloved status in the city's culinary culture.
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The sandwich is typically served hot-pressed
The Cuban sandwich is typically served hot-pressed. The sandwich is assembled and then placed in a panini press, or a skillet with a heavy weight on top, to compress the sandwich and create a crispy exterior. The hot-pressing technique is said to be key in achieving the iconic Cuban sandwich. The process involves toasting the sandwich until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. The weight used to press the sandwich down, whether it be another skillet, bricks, or a grill weight, helps to compress the sandwich to about a third of its original volume. This compression ensures that all the ingredients meld together, creating a tasty and accessible mouthful.
While a panini press is the typical method for achieving the hot-pressed Cuban sandwich, it is not necessary. The sandwich can also be made in a sauté pan, griddle pan, cast-iron skillet, or even a sandwich press. If using a skillet, it is recommended to use another heavy skillet or a skillet filled with cans to weigh down the sandwich. The sandwich is then cooked for around 3-6 minutes, or until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.
The hot-pressing technique not only creates a super crispy exterior, but it also ensures that the flavours of the ingredients are enhanced. The pressing process reduces the sandwich's size, melting the cheese and rendering the flavours of the ingredients. This results in a harmonious blend of textures and flavours, with each bite delivering a symphony of tastes.
The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a decadent grilled ham and cheese sandwich that has gained mainstream popularity across the United States. While the exact origin of the sandwich is disputed, it is believed to have been "born in Cuba and educated in the US". The sandwich is characterised by its use of Cuban bread, slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. The hot-pressing technique further elevates these flavours and textures, making the Cuban sandwich a true culinary masterpiece.
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Cuban sandwiches are best served with potato chips and pickles
Cuban sandwiches are a great way to sample Cuban cuisine and its influences. The sandwich is a transportable, filling meal, created by Cuban immigrants in the 1800s who needed a hearty midday lunch that was easy to carry and eat. The classic Cuban sandwich is a combination of Cuban roots and influences from immigrants in Florida and across the US. The Tampa version features a layer of Genoa salami, while the Miami version does not. The salami adds another layer of salty flavour to the already decadent sandwich.
The key to a great Cuban sandwich is in the ingredients and the preparation. Quality ingredients are a must—from the bread to the meat and cheese. The bread should be a long, wide loaf of Cuban, French or Italian bread, that is easy to squish down. The pork is also non-negotiable—it should be mojo-marinated Cuban roast pork or Pernil (roasted pork leg or shoulder). The ham should be Black Forest or smoked ham, and the Swiss cheese should be Gruyere. The pickles should be dill, thinly sliced.
The sandwich is then grilled and pressed in a panini press, grill pan or cast-iron skillet. The press is key to achieving the iconic Cuban sandwich—the bread should be compressed to about a third of its original volume. This compresses all the ingredients so they meld together, creating an accessible, tasty mouthful with a toasty exterior.
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Frequently asked questions
Swiss cheese is the cheese of choice for a traditional Cuban sandwich.
A Cuban sandwich is made with ham, mojo, roasted pork, mustard, and pickles. It is served on Cuban bread.
The main difference between the two is that the Tampa Cuban sandwich includes salami, whereas the Miami Cuban sandwich does not.
The Cuban sandwich likely originated in cafes catering to Cuban workers in Tampa or Key West, Florida, in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was brought to Miami by Cuban exiles and expatriates, where it also became very popular.
To make a Cuban sandwich, you start by spreading mustard on Cuban bread. Then, layer on roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and pickles. The sandwich is then grilled or toasted in a sandwich press until the bread is crispy and the cheese has melted.
