Cubanos
I’ve been going to deli’s forever. The main owners in my area are of Italian decent. In NYC, you”ll find a lot of Korean owned deli’s - usually with a pretty good selection of things. Well, long ago, I decided something about sandwiches. In my mind, the more meat it had, the better. I also felt like you were getting better value per dollar spent. So, I was always seeking deli’s that made huge sandwiches. Recently, that has changed. I had a thick, meaty sandwich this afternoon as well as yesterday. They were good, but I have to admit that it was too much. Way too much meat. My jaws hurt.
Lately, Steve’s been hounding the idea of thin sandwiches in to me. I think it settled in his mind soon after he decided to get paninis for lunch. They’re pressed thin in a machine and served sorta smashed much like the cubano is. For the cubano, I layered pork loin, ham, swiss, pickle slice, mayo & yellow mustard. So, the pic. Clearly, the cheese could’ve been melted more and it should have been. The sandwich should be flatter as well. The bread shouldn’t poof as much. That was Steve’s dept and unfortunately, it didn’t go over as well as it could have. Steve didn’t heat it on the grill long enough with a heavy cast iron pan holding it down. The sammies are wrapped in foil before the smashing commences. That’s how we make them at home. I’m not sure what they use in a restaurant but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was something like a panini press.
Steve, guest & I ate the sammies. Well, Steve didn’t finish his because he had thickness issues with it meaning he wanted a thinner sandwich. I went thinner than I usually do but I guess I’ll have to use less next time. Me? I loved it. I did wish that it was hotter in temperature, but for me, it was good as is and I’d eat one again any day. When later asked, guest had even forgotten that he’d had a cubano. Then I reminded him of what it was and I was met with sounds of approval.
Cubanos are often sold in areas or sections of town that cater to a large latin community. I don’t remember my first cubano experience or why I became interested in trying one. I don’t even remember liking it all that much. But I kept trying bites of Steve’s here and there and each time I like it. And I definitely loved that cubano in the pic. *big bite* Okay, take care guys and as always, Eat Something Good!