Cuban Sandwich With Zucchini Pickles Food

CUBAN SANDWICH (CUBANO)

Steps:

• Heat your skillet or griddle: I like to use two cast iron skillets nested on top of one another, pressing the sandwich in between. To use this method, place both skillets (one on top of the other) over medium heat and let them heat through. If using a panini press set it to medium heat. The skillet or griddle shouldn't be screaming hot, but it should radiate enough heat to toast the bread slowly. If you aren't using the double pan method or a panini press, just use anything you have to weigh the sandwich down - a foil wrapped brick, your spatula, whatever you have will do.
• Serve: Remove your sandwich from the skillet or griddle. Slice your sandwich according to the number of guests you need to serve and serve the sandwich with a handful of chips and a pickle or two. LEFTOVERS! Leftovers should be wrapped in foil and stored in the refrigerator. They may be reheated by cooking the same as above.

ZUCCHINI PICKLES

Steps:

• Place zucchini and onions into a large bowl, cover with water, and stir in salt until dissolved. Let the vegetables soak in the salted water for at least 2 hours; drain and transfer to a large heatproof bowl.
• Bring sugar, vinegar, celery seed, turmeric, mustard, and mustard seeds to a boil in a saucepan; pour the mixture over the zucchini and onions. Let the mixture stand for at least 2 more hours. Return zucchini, onions, and pickling liquid with spices to a large pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes.
• While vegetables are soaking in pickling liquid, sterilize jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the zucchini and onion into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top with pickling liquid. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area, and wait at least 24 hours before opening.

CUBANO SANDWICH WITH QUICK PICKLES

Steps:

• For the quick pickles: Combine the sugar, apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar, dried dill, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, garlic, onion and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil.
• Toss the cucumber slices with 1 tablespoon of salt and place in a strainer. Let the slices sit for 10 minutes, then rinse well with cold water.
• Put the pickles in a jar, pour in the pickling liquid and leave for at least 30 minutes. Keep refrigerated for up to 10 days.
• For the cheater mojo dressing: Mix together the dressing, lime juice and orange juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the sandwiches: Heat a large cast-iron pan over medium heat.
• Spread a thin layer of mustard on the inside of each roll. Put some quick pickle slices on each bottom roll, then top with a cheese slice. (You may need to cut the cheese slices into triangles to fit.) Toss the ham in the bowl with the mojo dressing, letting the excess drip off. Put 4 ounces of ham on each sandwich. Put the tops on the sandwiches.
• Spread butter on the outside of the sandwiches and put them in the cast-iron pan (do not crowd the pan; you may need to do 2 batches). Place a second cast-iron pan on top of the sandwiches and press down. Cook the sandwiches on one side for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the top pan and turn the sandwiches over, making sure they are golden brown on the bottom. Place the top pan back on the sandwiches and press down. Cook the sandwiches until golden brown on the second side, another 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut in half diagonally. Serve warm.

ORIGINAL CUBAN SANDWICH

Steps:

• Cut Cuban bread to desired size, common size is 7 inches. Next, slice open the bread down the middle. On the topside of the bread spread 1-ounce of mustard, evenly across. Then place 4 pickles on top of the mustard. You then place 1 slice of Swiss cheese on top of the pickles. Slice ham to desired thickness, recommended size is 1 1/2 ounces per slice, the thinner the better. Now fold each slice of ham in half and place evenly on bottom of bread. On top of the ham, place slices of roast pork, 1 1/2 ounces per slice. You then join both halves of the sandwich. You are now ready to grill your Cuban sandwich.
• Use a sandwich grill if you have one, a waffle iron if not. Spread butter on top of the bread evenly. Close the grill, smashing the sandwich. Leave sandwich in the grill until top of bread turns to a golden brown, and top is crisp. Approximate time is 4 to 6 minutes. After the sandwich is crispy and the cheese has melted, remove the sandwich carefully and slice it diagonally, from corner to corner. DO NOT USE A MICROWAVE OVEN!

CUBAN SANDWICH WITH ZUCCHINI PICKLES

Steps:

• zucchini pickles Bring vinegar, sugar, turmeric, mustard powder, and mustard seeds to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let cool. Toss zucchini, onion, and salt in a large bowl and let stand until zucchini releases moisture, 30-35 minutes. Pat zucchini and onion dry and transfer to a large jar. Pour pickling liquid over vegetables to submerge. Cover and chill at least 12 hours. Do Ahead: Zucchini can be pickled 4 days ahead. Keep chilled. shredded pork and assembly Preheat oven to 300°. Combine onion, carrot, celery, oregano, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and broth in a Dutch oven or other large pot. Place pork on top of vegetables and drizzle with oil; season pork with salt and pepper. Cover and braise, turning pork occasionally, until pork is just falling apart, 3½-4 hours. Let cool. Transfer pork to a large bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid, and shred with a fork. Add cooking liquid as needed to moisten pork (you may not use all of it). Meanwhile, increase oven temperature to 400°. Mix mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl and set aside. Place both halves of buns, cut side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Layer soppressata, pork, and cheese on bottom halves of buns and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Top bottom halves of buns with pickles; spread top halves of buns with reserved mayonnaise mixture and form sandwiches.