Salami is used to make an Americanized version of the Cuban sandwich.
Many of the world’s most popular sandwiches first gained popularity among the working classes, such as the generous Cuban sandwich. Cuban workers in the early 20th century often bought hot meat and cheese sandwiches from vendors stationed at their workplaces. When many of these workers immigrated to the United States, especially to the South Florida region, they brought with them many of their recipes and food traditions, including the original ingredients for their beloved “Cuban sandwich,” also known as Cuban.
Thin slices of ham and Swiss cheese are common ingredients in Cuban sandwiches.
A traditional Cuban sandwich begins with a special Cuban bread similar to long French rolls. Originally, local bakeries spent the early hours of the morning baking light, crisp Cuban loaves, which were then delivered to customers hanging from a nail outside. Cuban bread has a very short shelf life, so most recipients make a Cuban sandwich within hours of receiving or purchasing the bread.
Some variations of a Cuban sandwich call for fresh tomatoes and mayonnaise.
Cuban bread is cut in half like a submarine or hoagie bread and then spread with butter. Next, thin slices of mojo-marinated roast pork are 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, thin slices of salami can be substituted for the ham. Next comes a layer of Swiss cheese, followed by thin slices of pickle.
A Cuban sandwich can have mustard.
Traditionally, mustard is the only condiment added to a Cuban sandwich, although it’s not uncommon to find mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato added afterwards. A Cuban sandwich can be served cold, but is usually placed in a hot sandwich maker until the cheese has melted and the bread is grilled. Since authentic Cuban bread can be hard to find, some restaurants use Italian panini as a viable alternative.
The ingredient that most defines an authentic Cuban sandwich is the marinated roast pork. The mojo marinade gives the meat a distinctive citrus hue, along with a savory garlic flavor. Like the deep-dish pizzas of Chicago or the Philly cheesesteaks of Philadelphia, many Cuban sandwich enthusiasts say the most authentic version of the sandwich is found in the Tampa, Florida area. While many of the ingredients can be found elsewhere or prepared at home, only a few bakeries in the South Florida area can produce authentic Cuban bread acceptable enough for the traditional Cuban sandwich.