TAMPA STYLE CUBANO SANDWICHES!! VIEWER REQUEST!!

When we posted our last video for the mini muffaletta sandwiches a viewer requested that we do Tampa style Cubano sandwiches so I am here to deliver on that request! If are not familiar with the wildly popular cultural revolution that is the Cubano sandwich then let me help you. The Cubano is a sandwich made on traditional cassava bread with a soft texture and a crunchy crust. It is filled with tender roast pork, sweet ham, Swiss cheese pickles and mustard. The Tampa version include the addition of Genoa Salami. It is an homage to the immigrants that made the Tampa community what it is today. Built on these sandwiches that fueled the once grand cigar industry. A true gem in the crown of our nation that you may or may not know about. Today we learn.

I was excited at the request to share this sandwich. A number of years ago I did a burger inspired by the Tampa Cuban that was delicious but today we are going straight to the heart of things and creating this delicous yet simple sandwich that fed many a cigar factory worker but came to represent an entire city in the peninsula state.

Today I am using an accessible Bolillo roll as my bread because I do not have a source for the traditional Cassava bread that you will get in an authentic version of this sandwich. You can use a hard Italian roll or even a split baguette or french loaf to help recreate yours. The roll is smeared with a generous amount of yellow mustard and then we layer on the fillings each of which represent a group of immigrants that made Tampa great. First we layer on some pulled pork. I am using some that we smoked over fourth of July and I froze but you could easily use some leftover pork either sliced or pulled or procure some from the local deli. Next goes on some sweet ham, I am using black forest style ham. Top this with some Genoa salami and then a healthy dose of dill pickle slices. Place sliced Swiss cheese on top of everything and cap that off with the top bun. I used some quick garlic butter to brush on top.

I pressed my Tampa Cubano in my waffle iron that has flat plates included. This took a bit of work because we had to keep the top pressed down. But if you don't have a panini press or a waffle iron like I do, you can wrap your sandwiches in foil and put an iron skillet on the top and bake them in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Alternatively you can place them in a hot skillet with another heavy skillet on top or a brick wrapped in foil. You can press a sandwich in many ways. Maybe you have a bacon press that would work in place of the brick. Get creative with what you have on hand in your kitchen.

The story of this Tampa style Cubano sandwich is that each of the filligs represent one of the cultures that made Tampa great. The bread and the pork represent the Cuban people. The ham the Spaniards, the Salami, the Italians and the pickles and mustard represent the German people. The Swiss cheese is what melts all these things together and makes them one cohesive and delicious represenatation of an entire culture and community that was built on the cigar industry.

If you are interested look up the history of Tampa. I find it quite charming and rich and one that everyone should know about! I hope that you will give this Tampa style Cubano sandwich a try sometime soon and I hope you love it!

Happy Eating!

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