Have you ever stopped to ponder the power of the sandwich? That humble yet ingenious creation, where various ingredients come together between two slices of bread, has united taste buds worldwide for centuries. National Sandwich Day, celebrated on November 3rd, is the perfect occasion to pay tribute to this culinary marvel. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the sandwich, delve into the most popular sandwiches in ten diverse countries, and even provide alternatives for those seeking low-carbohydrate options.
A Bite of History: The story of the sandwich begins in the 18th century, attributed to John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an English nobleman with a penchant for gambling. Legend has it that he requested his meat be served between slices of bread to avoid interrupting his gaming. This ingenious idea rapidly spread, and the “sandwich” was born.
Though John Montagu played a pivotal role in popularizing the concept, people across cultures had already been wrapping food in some form of bread for centuries. From flatbreads used in the Middle East to tacos in Mexico and the Indian paratha, sandwich-like creations were prevalent worldwide.
Global Sandwich Odyssey: Let’s embark on a culinary journey and explore the most popular sandwiches from ten different countries, along with their simple ingredient lists:
Canada – The Peameal Bacon Sandwich:
- Ingredient List: Peameal bacon, soft roll or bun, yellow mustard.
- A soft bun filled with crispy peameal bacon, a Canadian specialty, and a dash of zesty yellow mustard.
Cuba – The Cubano:
- Ingredient List: Cuban bread, roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard.
- A savory delight featuring layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and a touch of mustard, all within Cuban bread.
Germany – The Schnitzel Sandwich:
- Ingredient List: Crispy schnitzel, a crusty roll, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise.
- A crispy schnitzel on a crusty roll, paired with fresh lettuce, tomato, and creamy mayonnaise.
India – The Vada Pav:
- Ingredient List: Spiced potato fritter, pav (bread), green chutney, garlic chutney.
- A spicy potato fritter nestled in a pav, complemented by green and garlic chutneys.
Israel – The Sabich:
- Ingredient List: Pita bread, fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, tahini, salad, pickles.
- A pita filled with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, creamy hummus, tahini, fresh salad, and pickles.
Italy – The Caprese Sandwich:
- Ingredient List: Ciabatta bread, mozzarella, tomato, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar.
- A simple yet delightful combination of fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, all in a ciabatta bread.
Lebanon – The Shawarma:
- Ingredient List: Pita bread, thinly sliced spiced meat (usually beef, chicken, or lamb), tahini, garlic sauce, vegetables.
- Slices of spiced meat, often roasted on a vertical spit, folded into pita bread and garnished with tahini, garlic sauce, and vegetables.
Mexico – The Torta:
- Ingredient List: Bolillo (bread roll), meat (e.g., chorizo, carnitas, or Milanesa), refried beans, avocado, cheese, salsa.
- A bolillo filled with a variety of meats, refried beans, avocado, cheese, and salsa for a burst of Mexican flavors.
The Netherlands – Broodje Kroket:
- Ingredient List: Soft bun, beef or veal croquette, mustard.
- A soft bun stuffed with a crispy beef or veal croquette, served with a dollop of mustard.
United States – The Classic BLT:
- Ingredient List: Toasted bread, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise.
- A timeless favorite, featuring crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato, and creamy mayonnaise between two slices of toasted bread.
Low-Carb Alternatives: For those looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake, there are inventive alternatives to traditional bread that maintain the essence of the sandwich:
- Lettuce Wraps: Crisp lettuce leaves can be used as a wrap for various fillings, offering a low-carb, refreshing alternative.
- Portobello Mushrooms: Large Portobello mushrooms, when roasted or grilled, provide a robust base for sandwich ingredients.
- Cauliflower Bread: Cauliflower can be transformed into a dough that creates a low-carb bread option, perfect for making sandwiches.
- Collard Greens: Collard greens, blanched and trimmed, are sturdy enough to hold sandwich ingredients together.
- Eggplant Slices: Grilled or baked eggplant slices can serve as a nutritious, low-carb foundation for sandwich fillings.
One of my favorite sandwiches is a gluten free, turkey bacon BLT using these amazing cauliflower rounds for the bread replacement. They are so versatile; the freezer is currently housing about 6 boxes from the last Costco run. This beauty is composed on two Outer Aisle cauliflower rounds, homemade mayo (sometimes this one from Primal Kitchen for a different flavor; sometimes this one from Chosen Foods if I don’t have time to make the plain version), tomatoes, romaine, and sometimes an egg. Make sure you season your tomatoes with salt and pepper – the difference is amazing!
National Sandwich Day is a global celebration of this versatile culinary creation. Whether you’re savoring a classic BLT in the United States, relishing a Sabich in Israel, or exploring a low-carb alternative, sandwiches have undoubtedly earned their place in the annals of international cuisine. So, on this special day, take a bite of history and savor the flavors from around the world, united between two slices of bread or a creative low-carb substitute. Happy National Sandwich Day!