| When it comes to sandwiches, there is a variety to | | | | lieu of oil. The bread is cut into lengths between eight |
| choose from. Some people love Grilled Cheese, others | | | | and twelve inches, the crust is buttered, and the |
| prefer Veggie. Some like Roast Beef and Cheddar, | | | | sandwich is sliced in half. Mustard and dill pickles are |
| while others LUV the BLT. Some eat up Reuben's, or | | | | added as well as layers of glazed ham and Swiss |
| prefer their rhyming counterpart: the Cuban. For the | | | | cheese. Roast pork is also added: this is the ingredient |
| latter lovers, the country of Cuba is to thank. | | | | that helps set Cuban sandwiches apart from regular |
| The origin of the Cuban sandwich is somewhat | | | | old ham and cheese. |
| disputed: it was either created in Cuba or in the Cuban | | | | In order to be a true Cuban, the roast pork must be |
| community of Ybor City, Florida. In the early 20th | | | | dipped in a citrus and garlic marinade called mojo. It |
| century, it appeared in both areas and both claim to | | | | must then be slow roasted. After all the ingredients are |
| have been the inventor. While this seems a little like Al | | | | added, the Cuban is toasted in a press until the cheese |
| Gore stating he invented the Internet, both Cuba and | | | | melts and the bread is crispy. |
| Ybor City may have valid claims. | | | | In Tampa bay, the above does not make the |
| During this time frame, people traveled frequently and | | | | sandwich complete, not, at least, until Genoa salami is |
| easily between Florida and Cuba. Many Cubans | | | | added. It is believed that the addition of Genoa salami |
| traveled to Florida for employment opportunities and | | | | comes from the melting cultural pot in Ybor City, a city |
| back to Cuba for familial obligations. Thus, when Cuban | | | | that includes a mix of those from Spain, Cuba, and |
| sandwiches surfaced at sugar mills in Cuba and cigar | | | | Italy. |
| factories in Ybor City, it was hard to pinpoint the | | | | In Key West, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise are |
| creator. It is most likely that they did appear in both | | | | added to the Cuban. However, many traditionalists |
| places at relatively the same time. | | | | argue that these additions cause the sandwich to lose |
| No matter where it was created, its popularity has | | | | its authenticity. |
| spread like mayonnaise, particularly through Florida. Key | | | | Some other closely related sandwiches are those |
| West, Tampa Bay, and Miami are all cities known for | | | | made in the northern United States, which replaces the |
| great Cuban sandwiches, though some areas deviate | | | | Cuban bread with Panini bread. A sandwich available in |
| from the name, calling them "Mixto sandwiches" or | | | | Cuba, called medianoche (meaning "Midnight"), is similar |
| "Cuban Pressed Sandwiches." | | | | to the Cuban, but it uses bread made from soft egg |
| Like its birthplace, the ingredients in a true Cuban | | | | dough. It is called a "midnight" because of its popularity |
| sandwich are also somewhat disputed. | | | | after the bars and nightclubs close. In other words, it's |
| In traditional Miami creations, sandwiches are made | | | | like Taco Bell in America. |
| with Cuban bread, a type of bread created with lard in | | | | |