Posted on 08/23/2023 6:24:27 AM PDT by Red Badger
(Last Updated On: August 14, 2023)
NATIONAL CUBAN SANDWICH DAY | AUGUST 23
On August 23rd, celebrate a sandwich that originated in Cuba, but grew up in Florida. National Cuban Sandwich Day is a tribute to flavor found in a toasted pressed sandwich.
#NationalCubanSandwichDay
While the Cubano traditionally consists of ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on Cuban bread, restaurants and home cooks serve up different versions. While the sandwich alone may serve as a satisfying meal, some very flavorful sides complement this globe-trotting sandwich. Like any grilled sandwich, a creamy, dunkable soup makes the perfect complement. Consider making this delicious Smoky Roasted Corn Soup. Another favorite side dish is seasoned sweet potato fries.
The sandwich brings together flavor and history, too. By combining traditions from Cuban, German, and Italian immigrants, the sandwich offers a world tour of simple ingredients. If you’ve never had one, this is the day to try it.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CUBAN SANDWICH DAY
Many restaurants offer specials on their Cuban Sandwich to celebrate the day. You’ll want to give the place that makes your favorite Cubano a shout-out, too! You can also make your own. Try a traditional recipe or change it up with your own distinctive style. You can also share the day with others while exploring new side dishes and recipes. Be sure to use #NationalCubanSandwichDay to share your celebrations on social media.
NATIONAL CUBAN SANDWICH DAY HISTORY
Journalist Christopher Spata of the Tampa Bay Times set out to test the National Day food celebration waters in 2016. In his mission to make up a new food holiday, he managed to create a celebration that has gone around the world. According to his article, he chose August 23rd because the only other food holiday was National Sponge Cake Day, “and who cares about that?” (He’s obviously never had sponge cake or tried making one.” And while some articles call it a hoax, those who celebrate food days take them seriously.
Sandwich FAQ
Q. When is National Sandwich Day?
A. National Sandwich Day is November 3.
Q. How many sandwich holidays are on the calendar?
A. The short answer is there are 13 sandwich-specific days on the calendar. But, define sandwich. Most people (and dictionaries) define “sandwich” as a food comprised of two pieces of bread with a filling of meat, cheese, or other food items in between the bread. Hoagie, hamburger, and sloppy Joe easily fit that description. Grilled cheese sandwich has the word “sandwich” in its name. Those are no-brainers. But, what is a hot dog? Chili dog? What about the Oreo? Is it a sandwich or can you count desserts? Speaking of desserts, how about a s’more? Are graham crackers bread? That brings us to quesadillas. Tortillas are bread and some quesadillas use two tortillas. Is a quesadilla a sandwich? And then there are the open-face sandwiches. Is an egg benedict considered an open-face sandwich?
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August 23rd Celebrated History
1305
King Edward I of England has the Scottish revolutionary, William Wallace, executed. Wallace was hung and then disemboweled, beheaded, and quartered.
1617
London establishes the first one-way street.
1859
The Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City opens and is the first American hotel to include a passenger elevator.
1889
The message “Sherman is sighted” is the first ship-to-shore message sent by wireless.
1902
Fannie Farmer opens the Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery. She was also a cookbook author and proponent of standard measures in cooking
1904
Harry D. Weed patents “Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires” making traveling icy roads less hazardous. That same year he establishes the Weed Chain Tire Grip Company.
1918
Frank King’s comic strip, Gasoline Alley, premieres in the Chicago Tribune.
1929
Anne Morrow flies solo for the first time, only months after marrying Charles Lindbergh.
1946
The Big Sleep starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall is released.
1955
Hail pummels the small town of Rushmore, Minnesota. The thunderstorm dumped hail a foot deep on the Nobels County town.
1963
The Beatles release their single “She Loves You” from their Twist and Shout album in the United Kingdom.
1966
NASA’s Lunar Orbiter 1 captures the first photograph of Earth from the Moon’s orbit.
1973
A bank robbery went wrong in Stockholm, Sweden, leading to a hostage crisis. The drawn-out event lasted five days. During that time, the hostages begin to sympathize with their jailers. This phenomenon becomes known as “Stockholm syndrome.”
1977
The Gossamer Condor 2 flew the first man-powered flight for at least 1 mile.
1998
The sitcom, That 70’s Show premiered its first episode.
August 23rd Celebrated Birthdays
Louis XVI – 1774
Born Louis Auguste, he took the French throne at the age of 20 after the death of his grandfather, Louis XV. His policies created insurmountable debt for the country which would eventually lead to the French Revolution.
Sarah Frances Whiting – 1847
The first director of the Whitin Observatory, Whiting taught astronomy and physics at Wellesley College.
Edgar Lee Masters – 1869
The author of more than 30 books and plays is best known for his work, Spoon River Anthology.
Will Cuppy – 1884
Combining dry wit with a little bit of fact, the American humorist and journalist commented on nature and historical personalities.
Grace Chu – 1899
Also known as Madame Chu, the cooking enthusiast began hosting cooking classes in her home while her husband was posted at the U.S. Embassy. She would later continue the courses and become a U.S. citizen. Chu also published two popular books on Chinese cooking.
Ernie Bushmiller – 1905
Best known for his comic strip, Nancy, the artist once thought he couldn’t draw.
Hannah Frank – 1908
The Art Nouveau artist is best known for her black and white drawings and sculptures.
Gene Kelly – 1912
The talented singer, dancer and actor starred alongside Judy Garland, Debbie Reynolds, Rita Hayworth, Frank Sinatra, and Spencer Tracy to name a few.
Barbara Eden – 1931
Eden co-starred in the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie alongside Larry Hagman. During her career, Eden made more than 90 appearances on film and television.
Keith Moon – 1946
Best known as the drummer for The Who, Moon also played several roles in film.
Shelley Long – 1949
The actor is best known for her role as Diane Chambers in the sitcom Cheers.
River Phoenix – 1970
Before his tragic death, the talented young actor appeared in several films including Stand by Me, Running on Empty, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and My Own Private Idaho.
Kobe Bryant – 1978
Drafted into the NBA in 1996, Bryant would go on to an All-Star career with the L.A. Lakers. In January 2020, he was tragically killed in a helicopter accident.
Natalie Coughlin – 1982
The 12-time Olympic medalist is a powerhouse swimmer who started her swimming career at the age of 6.
One of the benefits of having a Cuban wife.
Lol! Italian resteraunts and other “ethnic resteraunts” too I’d imagine
Redcoat Tavern on Woodward in Royal Oak, Michigan also has Cuban sandwiches on the menu. I haven’t tried one there but the rest of their food is good.
When I lived in FL. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and asked for some jalapenos on it. I’m lucky I survived I thought they were going to kill me, from the looks I got you would have thought that I asked for ranch dressing on an order of buffalo wings.
Does anyone in the USA really care if this is the day that Cubans are allowed to eat sandwiches by their Communist masters?
A real Cuban sandwich should be cooked in a device sort of like a waffle iron—I believe it’s called a panini press.
Several years ago, on a visit to Florida, I stopped for lunch and ordered a Cuban sandwich which was made that way. I complimented tha waitress, telling her that having eaten a real Cuban sandwich, I now realize that I’m in Florida.
Love them, especially the pickle - although I had one at a gourmet food truck recently that was so salty it was inedible, unfortunately.
Had a great one on The Tampa Riverwalk, forget the restaurant. Also a great salad, lots of Worcestershire sauce.
I’ll have to get me several of those.
Sandwiches, I mean. Of course.
:)
....or pineapple on a pizza............................
Krogers Private Selection® Cuban Inspired Ham & Swiss Thin Crust Frozen Pizza is pretty good. Not a sandwich, but manages to evoke one pretty well.
I hope it doesn't taste like a cigar.
I’ve never been lucky enough to find a really good Cuban sandwich outside Florida.
My “suegra” makes good Cuban sandwiches.
You are fortunate. A good Cuban sandwich is one of my favorites, right up there with a good Reuben (also hard to find in restaurants). At least I can make a tolerable Reuben myself. Cuban sandwiches just never seem to come out right, even allowing for the lack of a panini press.
Can’t get them around here. Maybe in Spokane, but we avoid Spokane.
Yum!
The Cuban Sandwich was invented by cigar factory workers in the Ybor City section of Tampa, not Cuba.
Yuck. Not even close
And what most people think is Mexican food, is actually Tex-Mex.
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