The Best Cheeses For A Classic Cuban Sandwich

The Cuban sandwich is a variation of a ham and cheese sandwich, with Swiss cheese being the most commonly used variety. The sandwich is made with sliced ham, roast pork, mustard, pickles, and sometimes salami, all layered between slices of Cuban bread. The sandwich is then pressed in a panini or sandwich press until the cheese has melted and the bread is toasted.

Swiss cheese is the most popular choice for a Cuban sandwich

The type of Swiss cheese used can vary, but quality cheese is important to making the best Cuban sandwich. Real Swiss cheese, specifically Gruyere, is recommended, as Americanized Swiss cheese is made from pasteurized milk and is significantly less flavorful. Aged Gruyere Swiss cheese is nutty and melty, adding a gourmet flavor to the sandwich. It is also important to slice the cheese thinly so that it melds well with the other ingredients.

While Swiss cheese is the most popular choice, some variations of the Cuban sandwich may use other types of cheese. For example, the Tampa-style Cubano includes Genoa salami and sometimes uses provolone cheese instead of Swiss. However, Swiss cheese remains the classic and most popular option for this delicious and hearty sandwich.

Salami is included in Tampa but not in South Florida

The Cuban sandwich is a beloved staple in Florida, especially in Tampa and Miami, but there is a long-standing debate about its origin and ingredients. The main dispute is whether or not to include salami, which is included in the Tampa Cuban sandwich but not in the South Florida version.

The Tampa Cuban sandwich includes Genoa salami, traditionally layered with other meats such as ham and pork. The addition of salami is said to give the sandwich extra flavour and a little funk to the sweet-savory pork combination. The salami is believed to represent the Sicilians or Italians who immigrated to Tampa, contributing to the city's cultural and culinary diversity.

On the other hand, the South Florida Cuban sandwich, also known as the Miami Cuban sandwich, does not include salami. Instead, it typically includes ham, pork, Swiss cheese, dill pickle, and mustard, all pressed on a "plancha" or panini press. The Miami Cuban sandwich is said to be simpler and more traditional, staying true to the sandwich's Cuban roots.

The debate between Tampa and Miami Cuban sandwiches has fueled a friendly rivalry for years, with each city claiming that their version is superior. While Tampa adds salami to their sandwich, Miami focuses on the bread texture, using softer bread with a thinner crust that crisps up when pressed.

The Cuban sandwich is believed to have originated in Cuba, derived from the "mixto" sandwich, which included various kinds of meats and cheese. It then made its way to Florida, first to Tampa and later to Miami, with each city putting its own twist on the beloved sandwich.

The sandwich is assembled in a specific order

How to Make a Cuban Sandwich

Ingredients

First, you'll need to gather your ingredients. For the roast pork, you'll need olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, light brown sugar, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic cloves, and a coarsely chopped onion. You'll also need Cuban sandwich loaves, salted butter, yellow mustard, large dill pickles, honey-glazed ham, and Swiss cheese slices.

Assembly

Press and Grill

Place the sandwich in a panini press or a preheated cast-iron skillet with a heavy lid to press down the top. Cook the sandwiches for 6 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. Cut the sandwiches in half on a bias and serve with your favorite chips.

It's usually cooked in a sandwich or panini press

Cooking Cuban Sandwiches

Cuban sandwiches are usually cooked using a sandwich or panini press. This is a key step in achieving the iconic Cuban sandwich. The press ensures that the bread is compressed to about a third of its original volume, and all the ingredients meld together. The toasty exterior is also a signature element achieved through this process.

If you don't have a panini press, you can use a cast-iron skillet with a heavy lid, or a grill pan, to press down the sandwich. Alternatively, you can use another heavy skillet, or a grill weight, to weigh down the sandwich. If using a cast-iron skillet or grill pan, melt some butter in the pan before adding the sandwich.

Cook the sandwiches for 6 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted. If using a cast-iron pan, you will need to cook the sandwich for 3 minutes on each side. If using another skillet to weigh down the sandwich, remember to flip the sandwich halfway through the cooking time.

If you are cooking multiple sandwiches, repeat the process with the remaining sandwiches. Finally, cut the sandwiches in half and serve with your choice of sides.

The sandwich is at the centre of a long-running rivalry between Miami and Tampa

The Cuban sandwich is a hotly contested topic between Miami and Tampa, with both cities claiming rights to the sandwich. The rivalry is long-running, and passionate, with each city believing it has a legitimate claim to the sandwich.

The Cuban sandwich is a combination of shredded pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and dill pickles, served either cold or hot-pressed on Cuban bread. The sandwich is thought to have originated in the mid-19th century to feed cigar and sugar factory workers in Key West, Ybor City, and Tampa. While it is called a Cuban sandwich, most food historians agree that it was invented in Tampa's Ybor City. However, Miami has a large Cuban population and has become the capital of Cuban America, especially after the Cuban revolution.

The Tampa Cuban sandwich, or "Historic Tampa Cuban Sandwich", includes Genoa salami, an ingredient that is often debated and is missing from the Miami version. The addition of salami is thought to be influenced by the Italian immigrants who lived alongside Cubans and Spaniards in Ybor City. Miami's former mayor, Tomas Regalado, even commented on the salami, stating, "salami is for pizza."

The rivalry between the two cities is not just about the sandwich but also about the culture and history of the Cuban people in each city. Tampa's Cubans mixed with other cultures, creating a pan-Latin community and a pan-Latin sandwich. Miami, on the other hand, became the capital of Cuban America, especially after the Cuban revolution, and has a strong Cuban influence.

The debate over the Cuban sandwich is so intense that it has even sparked cyber battles and votes to determine the winner. While both cities have valid claims, the rivalry lives on, with each city passionate about its version of the beloved Cuban sandwich.

Frequently asked questions