Cuban Sandwich with Pulled Pork

Bread will flatten even more, don't have final product picture

Cuban sandwiches are very popular in the Tampa Bay area because of the large amount of Cubans who traveled to Ybor City in Tampa, Florida in the early 20th century. Cubans were popular lunch items among the cigar mills and at one point, Ybor was the largest cigar producer in the entire world! Still to this day, many traces of Cuba can be seen in Ybor from the old Spanish style houses to the popular Cuban restaurants and clubs dotted all over the city. If you live in the area, you probably expect to see a Cuban sandwich on most lunch menus at any restaurant in town. I do not claim my Cuban sandwiches are authentic but they are about as close you can get with a few minor differences.




Ingredients:
Cuban/French bread (whole loaf) whole wheat for extra healthy but I don't recommend
1/2 pound fresh deli sliced cooked ham (Boars Head is good or an all natural brand)
1/2 to 1 pound of roasted pulled pork (Pork shoulder w/spices)
Fresh Dill pickles sandwich slices
1/3 pound Swiss cheese (Boars Head as well)
Mustard
Mayonnaise
A press or Panini maker but a regular frying pan will do as well

Savings: 5-15$

Considering you probably have mustard and mayo, this will cost around 15 dollars and will make 3 sandwiches. This is a good idea if you have pulled pork left over and want to make something interesting. Even cheaper if you also have the cheese and ham in the fridge! Now just buy the pickles and bread.

 Slice the bread in half and spread the condiments on first. I really like mayo but I don't know if this is official if you want to go that route, or the healthier route. Prepare the outside of the bread now with butter or mayo again to ensure a nice crispy crust.

 

 

 

The pulled pork should already be made and waiting in the wing. MAKE SURE the pork does not have BBQ sauce in it! Mojo marinade would be something quick and easy for the pork shoulder and have the right amount of flavor for a Cuban. Now add all of the meat and cheese like in the picture. Some recipes use sliced roasted pork but that just requires you to buy more deli meat. At least this is something you can buy cheap and use as a left overs for the Cuban. I got this idea when I ate a delicious Cuban sandwich at the Tampa Citrus Mall. 

 

 

 

Now it's ready for the finishing touch, to be pressed. A Panini maker is not so authentic but it's not a big difference in the final product. I have read that real Cubans use palm leaves and wrap the sandwich that way in a presser, but who has time for all that?!! If you don't have either, just put in a skillet with another clean skillet (clean bottom) with the bottom on top of the sandwich with something heavy in it to hold it down and you get the same results.