Extolling the virtues of the Cuban sandwich

C

CathyZ

Well-known member
Dear foodie friends: This is a photo of a Cuban sandwich made by The Columbia Restaurant (original in Tampa). They seem to claim to have invented it. In the old days it was the properted "Mafia Capitol" of Florida. A friend brought sandwiches from there a couple days ago and I seared them and flattened them to finish them off. Oh my. The best sandwich I have EVER had. Cuban bread which is different than Italian or French, Genoa Salami, good ham, marinated and roasted pork, Swiss Cheese, pickle and a little mustard. I hate mustard but it fit on this sandwich and I consumed it without a gripe.

This is not the actual sandwich my friend Judi brought but it is one from The Columbia. I have had other Cuban sandwiches, have made my own using homemade Cuban bread but nothing could possibly beat the sandwich I ate a few days ago. Served with Plantain chips of course! Belongs in the food hall of fame.

 
I remember that restaurant fondly, both in Tampa and in St. Augustine. Such is the power of the Columbian that one of my favorite salads is made up of NOT ONE INGREDIENT THAT I LIKE.

Ya, go figure. It's their 1905 Salad and includes these ingredients:

iceberg lettuce

swiss cheese

ham

garlic clove (to be rubbed on wooden bowl before preparing salad)

Spanish olives

celery

tomatoes

Romano cheese

NONE OF THESE would be on my death-bed last meal request. But somehow as a singular entity, they come together really, really well.

Here's the dressing:

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 C olive oil

1/8 C white vinegar

salt & pepper

See the attached file for other recipes from the Columbia Restaurant...although NOT the sandwich of Cathy's Dreams.

 
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