The Best Cheeses For A Classic Cuban Sandwich

The Cuban sandwich, or Cubano, is a decadent grilled ham and cheese sandwich that has reached mainstream popularity in the US. The sandwich is made with Swiss cheese, though some recipes suggest using Gruyere Swiss cheese.

The best cheese for a Cuban sandwich is Swiss cheese, specifically Gruyere

Gruyere is a semi-hard, pale yellow Swiss cheese made with whole milk. It is often available in pre-sliced blocks at the deli counter of your local grocery store. If you can't find it pre-sliced, ask the deli counter to thinly slice it for you.

When making a Cuban sandwich, it's important to start and end with the cheese. This is because it acts as the "melty glue" that holds all the sandwich components together.

While Swiss cheese is the best option, it's worth noting that a traditional Cuban sandwich is packed with flavour and texture. Therefore, the quality of the cheese is more important than the type of cheese.

A Tampa Cuban sandwich includes salami

The Tampa Cuban sandwich was designated the "signature sandwich of the city of Tampa" by the Tampa City Council in 2012. The Tampa version of the Cubano features a layer of Genoa salami, while the Miami version does not. Genoa salami is a kind of salami believed to have originated in Genoa, Italy. It is seasoned with garlic, salt, black and white pepper, and red or white wine. The Tampa contingent believes salami adds another layer of salty flavour to the already decadent sandwich, which makes their version superior.

The Cuban sandwich is a staple in Tampa, with the first recorded mentions of a Cubano coming from a café in Ybor City around 1900. The sandwich is also a staple at The Columbia in Ybor City, which first opened its doors in 1905 and is the oldest restaurant in Florida.

Cuban sandwiches are pressed

Cuban sandwiches, or Cubanos, are pressed to compress the ingredients and create a crispy exterior. The process of pressing also helps to melt the cheese and create a cohesive sandwich.

Pressing Techniques

Cuban sandwiches are traditionally pressed in a sandwich press called a plancha, which is similar to a panini press but without grooved surfaces. However, if you don't have access to a plancha or a panini press, there are several alternative methods you can use to press your Cuban sandwich:

• Place the sandwich in a buttered skillet or grill pan and top it with another heavy skillet to weigh it down.
• Use a cast-iron skillet to press the sandwich, or fill a lighter skillet with cans to add weight.
• Wrap the sandwich in foil and place it in a preheated waffle iron or clothes iron.
• Use a sandwich press, panini press, grill pan, griddle pan, or cast-iron skillet to heat and compress the sandwich.

The Importance of Pressing

Pressing a Cuban sandwich is considered essential to creating an authentic Cubano. The pressing process reduces the size of the sandwich, crisps the bread, melts the cheese, and blends the flavours of the ingredients. This results in a cohesive sandwich with a crispy exterior and a soft, cheesy interior.

A Note on Cheese

When making a Cuban sandwich, it is important to use the right type of cheese. Traditional Cuban sandwiches use Swiss cheese, specifically Gruyere cheese, which has a slightly sweet and salty flavour and melts well. American Swiss cheese is often a poor imitation of the real thing, so it is best to source high-quality Swiss cheese for an authentic Cubano.

Cuban sandwiches are made with dill pickles

Dill pickles are also said to pair well with the mustard that is also used in Cuban sandwiches. As one source puts it, "dill is definitely the way to go".

When preparing a Cuban sandwich, it's important to thinly slice the dill pickles. This is so that the sandwich can be pressed down effectively, and so that the flavours of the sandwich meld together.

Cuban sandwiches are made with Cuban bread

Cuban bread is not always available in local grocery stores, so it is best to look for a local Cuban or Latin bakery. If you cannot find a suitable bakery, you can substitute Cuban bread with a long loaf of Italian or French bread from the bakery section of your grocery store. It is important to choose a loaf that is easy to squish down and use it immediately for the best results.

Cuban sandwiches are typically assembled with Swiss cheese, ham, roast pork, pickles, and mustard. The sandwich is then grilled or toasted in a panini press or skillet until the cheese is melted and the exterior is crispy.

Frequently asked questions