National Cuban Sandwich Day

America has never quite decided what to do with Cuba. One decade it’s enemy, the next it’s exotic fantasy — a forbidden island of cigars, rum, bright cars, baseball players, exotic women and complicated politics. Yet in the middle of embargoes and obsessions, one export slipped through and became an icon: the Cuban sandwich. Roast pork, ham, cheese, and pickles pressed together until even rivals find common ground.

Today is “National Cuban Sandwich Day”, a moment to appreciate this classic of Cuban-American cuisine, rooted in Tampa and Miami and carried far beyond. Traditionally made with roast pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread, the sandwich is pressed until the flavors meld into something greater than the sum of its parts.

My photograph shows two Cuban sandwiches plated with fried plantains, another staple of Cuban cuisine. The pulled pork and ham layers contrast with the tang of pickles and melted cheese, while the plantains add a caramelized richness to the plate. Presented against a dark background, the bold textures and colors stand out, highlighting the character of this dish.

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