The Original Cuban Sandwich "Sandwich Cubano"

Photo by JCStrutz

Ingredients

• 1 loaf Cuban bread.
• 1-ounce regular mustard
• 4 dill pickles
• 5 slices boiled ham or Virginia ham
• 2 slices roast pork
• 1 slice imported Swiss cheese.
• 1-ounce butter

Directions

• Cut Cuban bread to desired size, common size is 7 inches.
• Next, slice open the bread down the middle.
• On the topside of the bread spread 1-ounce of mustard, evenly across.
• Then place 4 pickles on top of the mustard.
• You then place 1 slice of Swiss cheese on top of the pickles.
• Slice ham to desired thickness, recommended size is 1 1/2 ounces per slice, the thinner the better. Now fold each slice of ham in half and place evenly on bottom of bread.
• On top of the ham, place slices of roast pork, 1 1/2 ounces per slice.
• You then join both halves of the sandwich.
• You are now ready to grill your Cuban sandwich.

Use a sandwich grill if you have one, a waffle iron if not. Spread butter on top of the bread evenly. Close the grill, smashing the sandwich. Leave the sandwich in the grill until the top of bread turns to a golden brown, and the top is crisp. Approximate time is 4 to 6 minutes. After the sandwich is crispy and the cheese has melted, remove the sandwich carefully and slice it diagonally, from corner to corner. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE OVEN!

Typically served by itself or with a choice of french fries or fried green plantain chips ("mariquitas").