Cuban Sandwich - a Tampa Classic! Recipe - Food.com (2024)

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Cuban Sandwich - a Tampa Classic! Recipe - Food.com? ›

One thing that distinguishes the Tampa-styled Cubano from others is the addition of Genoa salami, likely influenced by the Italian community in Ybor City. We also use palmetto leaves when baking our Cuban bread, maintaining an authentic tradition.

One thing that distinguishes the Tampa-styled Cubano from others is the addition of Genoa salami, likely influenced by the Italian community in Ybor City. We also use palmetto leaves when baking our Cuban bread, maintaining an authentic tradition.

The sandwich is made with ham, (mojo) roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread. Salami is included in Tampa, where there is a large Italian population, but is not usually included in South Florida.

Question: Who makes the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa? According to a panel of Tampa Tribune judges who rated each sandwich anywhere from 1 (low) to 5 (high), the best three Cuban sandwiches are produced at Wrights Gourmet (W), Puccetti's Market (P), and La Segunda Central Bakery (S).

Spread each half on both sides generously with mayo-mustard sauce. Divide sandwich ingredients between the two bottom halves in this order: 2 slices Swiss cheese, 3 slices ham, hot cooked pork, pickle slices, and 2 more slices Swiss cheese.

A true Tampa Cuban is layered from bottom to top: ham, roast pork, salami, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard.

You can substitute a soft white roll, hoagie roll, or a “soft French” roll with a crisp crust for the Cuban bread. Avoid anything too crusty like a baguette. You can substitute Dijon mustard for yellow mustard. If you prefer a Tampa-style sandwich, add a few slices of Genoa salami.

The combination of flavorful, juicy pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and Cuban bread makes this dish an undeniable hit. Although versions vary, the essential ingredient is the roasted pork, traditionally marinated in a mojo sauce redolent with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, oregano, and cumin.

The difference between the two Cubano variations is minimal. Both Miami and Tampa versions share the classic Cubano structure discussed above of Cuban bread, ham, Cuban roast pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles, but the Tampa version features a layer of Genoa salami, the Miami version does not.

If you live near a Latino bakery, you will probably be able to find Cuban breads. Lacking these, the best substitute for pan cubano is the long, soft French or Italian breads you find at the supermarket (a high-quality bakery baguette is too crusty). Challah or brioche makes a good substitute for pan suave.

What is the signature dish of Tampa? ›

1 – Cuban Sandwich

The Cuban Sandwich is a delicious legacy of the Cuban immigrants in Ybor City, Tampa. It has become a city staple. Uniquely Tampa, it includes Italian salami, merging Italian and Cuban influences, reflecting the city's diverse cultural tapestry.

The magazine released its South's Best awards, asking readers to rate their favorite places. The winner for the best Cuban Sandwich was Ybor City's own, Columbia Restaurant. The article states is all in the bread when making the best sandwich.

Spanish speakers called it a mixto, because of the mixed meats. English speakers called it a Cuban, because that's who they saw eating it.

A 'New York Times' crossword clue weighed in on the Cuban sandwich war. Guess what? Tampa won. A Sunday crossword puzzle asked for the “city famous for its Cuban sandwiches.”

A traditional Cuban sandwich is layered with ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard – there's no lettuce, tomato, or mayo on this baby. As with any dish, the better the ingredients, the better the sandwich – this becomes even more imperative with fewer ingredients.

It's packed with flavorful meats and cheeses, served on crusty herbed bread and is readily available. Locals count on it and travelers look for its deliciousness to add to their hungry bellies and Instagram® feeds. Be it from south or west Florida, an authentic Cuban sandwich packs quite a punch.

The Miami version of the Cuban Sandwich is smoked ham, roasted pork, swiss cheese, pickles, mustard on Cuban bread. The Tampa version of the Cuban Sandwich is similar but adds salami. The sandwich can be served cold or more commonly hot-pressed.

The Cuban sandwich, better known as a Cubano, begins with soft, slightly sweet Cuban bread. Heaps of heavily seasoned pork roast and sliced ham alternating between layers of Swiss cheese and sour pickles. The sandwich is cemented together with yellow mustard and a garlic butter schmear.

A medianoche consists of roast pork, ham, mustard, Swiss cheese, and sweet pickles. It is a close cousin to the Cuban sandwich, the chief difference being that a medianoche is made on soft, sweet egg dough bread similar to challah rather than on crustier Cuban bread.

The Guinness World Record for the longest Cuban sandwich is 276 feet.