Many of the world’s most popular sandwiches first gained popularity amongst the working classes, and such is the case with the hearty Cuban sandwich. Cuban workers during the early 20th century often purchased hot meat and cheese sandwiches from vendors stationed inside their workplaces. When many of these workers migrated to the United States, especially in the southern Florida region, they brought many of their recipes and food traditions with them, including the original ingredients of their beloved “Cuban sandwich,” also known as a cubano.
A traditional Cuban sandwich begins with a special Cuban bread similar to the long French bread loaves. Originally, local bakeries spent the early hours of the morning baking light, crusty loaves of Cuban bread, which would then be delivered to customers by hanging the loaves on an external nail. Cuban bread has a very short shelf life, so most recipients make a Cuban sandwich within a few hours of receiving or purchasing the bread.
The Cuban bread is sliced down the middle like a submarine or hoagie bun, then buttered. Thin slices of pork roast marinated in a mojo sauce is then
added to the sandwich, followed by thin slices of ham. In the Tampa, Florida area, where the Americanized version of the Cuban sandwich is believed to have originated, the ham may be replaced with thin slices of salami. Next comes a layer of Swiss cheese, followed by thin slices of dill pickle.
Traditionally, mustard is the only condiment added to a Cuban sandwich, although it is not unusual to find mayonnaise, lettuce and tomato added later. A Cuban sandwich can be served cold, but generally it is placed in a heated sandwich press until the cheese has melted and the bread has become grilled. Because authentic Cuban bread can be difficult to find, some sandwich shops use Italian panini bread as a viable alternative.
The ingredient which most defines an authentic Cuban sandwich is the marinated pork roast. The mojo marinade gives the meat a distinctive citrus undertone, along with a savory garlic flavor. Much like the deep dish pizzas of Chicago or the Philly cheese steaks of Philadelphia, many Cuban sandwich enthusiasts say the most authentic version of the sandwich is found in the Tampa, Florida region. Although many of the ingredients can be found elsewhere or prepared at home, only certain bakeries in the south Florida area can produce an authentic Cuban bread acceptable enough for the traditional Cuban sandwich.