The term, "sandwich generation" is used to describe those adults who are caring for aging parents while still actively parenting their kids.
While I'm grateful that my sisters and I share the load of caring for my 97 year old mom, Luza, I still feel the push-pull of having teenagers in the house and helping my mom with her needs.
Jonathan is a sophomore in high school and even though I'm not his primary teacher, I'm still overseeing much of his schoolwork and am still very present in his life. He does not yet drive and so I'm also schlepping him around from event to event. But I still get phone calls from my mom when she needs bananas or bread or because her prescription ran out.
And so I feel squished at times between his needs and her wants and sometimes there doesn't seem to be enough hours in my day.
I'm ashamed to admit that I sometimes feel sorry for myself. What about me? I wonder. What about what I want? I don't say it out loud, of course, but I sure think it enough. (I'll deny it if you tell anybody, but that's not important right now.)
I guess if my life is to be defined by being sandwiched between two generations, I'm grateful it's a Cuban Sandwich. ๐
Speaking of Cuban Sandwiches, you know there are rules to what you put in a Classic Cuban, right?
Classic Cuban Sandwich Recipe
- Long loaf of bread (preferably Cuban, but French will do.)
- Softened butter (to spread on the outside of the bread)
- Yellow mustard
- Swiss cheese
- Dill pickles (Clausen Bread and Butter Sandwich Pickles make all the difference here)
- Roast Pork
- Sliced Ham
1) Coat the bread lightly with mustard.
2) Make the sandwich with the ingredients in this order: Swiss cheese, pickles, roast pork, and sliced ham.
3) Butter the bread on the outside.
4) Grill. A sandwich press is ideal for this.
The goal is to get the sandwich nice and toasty and melt the cheese.
Serve hot, with an ice cold Materva and some authentic Cuban plantain chips.
Follow with a sweet, hot cafesito (with KILLER Espumaยฎ, of course).
Like so…..
Of course, to make the perfect Cuban sandwich, you definitely need a Cuban sandwich maker. I'd like to thank the kind folks at IMUSA USA who are generously sponsoring today's giveaway:
A beautiful sandwich maker (A Plancha!) and a Cuban coffee maker. Soo classically Cuban, right?
To enter the drawing for a chance to win both the sandwich maker and the coffee maker, please leave a comment on this post and answer one or both of the following questions:
- Are you part of the Sandwich Generation? Tell me.
- What goes into a Classic Cuban Sandwich?
- What's your favorite sandwich?
I'll do a random drawing on Sunday, October 30th at 5 pm Pacific Time.
Are you part of the Sandwich Generation?WOW! Can I relate……Both my husband and I have cared for our mothers. We both of us lost our moms in the same year but we are now helping to care for my father in law, grandfather (98) and grandmother (88). We have a teenager in the house and a college freshman. Only by the grace of God is it even remotely manageble….
What goes into a Classic Cuban Sandwich?
I love to use Land o Lakes spreadable butter….it’s easy to use and I love it’s flavor. Also, I like a lean but flavorful roast pork because I do not enjoy biting into gristle or “pellejo”. I prefer using a Virginia or Black Forest Ham (Boars Head) because of it’s sweetness…..
What’s your favorite sandwich?
Would any Cubanita have another favorite besides a Cuban??????lol.I do enjoy a hot and melted Monte Cristo I must admit!
I am “pre” sandwhich generation at the moment (but when I was still dating my american husband – I warned him that there was a good chance my parents would come live with us when they were elderly and he responded “claro que si mi vida”… love that man)ham, turky, pork, pickles, cheese, mustard – y ya!
I love a simple pan cubano con croquetas de jamon sandwhich
What goes into a Classic Cuban Sandwich?Easy: Sweet ham; swiss cheese, roast pork; yellow mustard; dill pickle chips on cuban bread; toasted on plancha with butter on top of the bread. Simple perfection.
What’s your favorite sandwich?
Croquetta Preparada: all the above with ham croquettas.
I am currently not of the sandwich household but we dont know what the future holds! Our house is big enough but we dont know if life will ever come to that point. I can tell you what goes in a mexican torta! And the only cuban i have had was composed per your rules by vallarta’s in fresno. My favorite sandwich is a shawarma.
Not a member of the sandwich generation, parents aren’t old enough and I don’t have any kids.The following go into a classical Cuban sandwich: long loaf of bread, butter, yellow mustard, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, roast pork, and sliced ham.
Favorite sandwich would have to be the medianoche
This is great!
Definitely part of the sandwich generation…we had a “sanguchera” growing up: an electric one that pressed the holsum white bread & kraft single sandwich into two perfect traingles (to dip into my Campbell’s tomato soup of course!).
Ay! Una plancha! Wow!Over the last several years, I’ve become the middle of the Sandwich Generation – with a four year old son and 70-something parents. While I’m not bringing my parents things on a daily basis (they are in Miami and I am in Raleigh), I do help with the ‘What does this mean, can I read it to you and you translate it to Spanish?’ type questions on a nearly daily basis. Two days ago, I listened to a jury summons over the phone (I can’t even attempt to descirbe what it sounded like over the phone!).
Hmmmm, my favorite sandwich? Pan con bistec, for sure!
Well, by the time my mother in law needed constant “help”, my kids were grown though not necessarily out of the house. I still found myself very torn though.Cuban Sandwich requirements:
Cuban Bread
Serrano Sweet Ham
Swiss Cheese
Mustard
Pork (preferably left over lechon:)
Pickle slice
Thats it folks, if it ain’t broke dont fix it;)
My favorite sandwich is probably the media noche because of the sweetness of the bread!
Unfortunately, I never got to be part of the “sandwich” generation for long, as my beloved parents died within eighteen months of each other, when my son was only eight years old. However, I do remember feeling frazzled at times back then, as they were both quite ill.I do hope I win this drawing because I would love to be able to make Cuban sandwiches for my son Zach. He loves them almost as much as I do. LOL!
Marta, I’m not currently part of the “sandwich generation” but bless those who are.Growing up Cuban in NY, I remember the almost weekly Saturday morning trips to Bergenline Avenue in NJ with my parents to shop, walk around and eat good Cuban food at the end of the day. Back then it was like the NJ version of Calle Ocho. I would get a Cuban sandwich and a Materva or batido. My favorite alternates were the Media Noche or Croqueta Preparada.
Although American sandwich shops have tried to imitate the Cuban, there’s nothing better than the original…
Cuban Bread
Mustard
Swiss Cheese
Sweet Pickle
Sweet Ham
Roast Pork
All pressed into yummy goodness! Buen Provecho ๐
Saludos….I am part of the sandwich generation. I homeschool our youngest sons 11 and 17 (much like your son) and my mother, 68, has been living with me for almost one year. She has cirrhosis of the liver (by contracting hep c through a blood transfusion back in the 70s). This has been an ENORMOUS challenge for me, since we don’t have the greatest relationship. Ay, ay, ay.
One of my favorite sandwiches is una papa rellena preparada. I also love an authentic Cuban sandwich with a “jupina”.
Buen provecho, indeed.
I should indeed be of the Sandwich Generation were it not for two things:1–I never bred any children
2–My 82 and 83 year old parents are STILL the ones trying to take care of us ‘kids’. I guess it keeps them going. Mom is still rippin’ and runnin’, taking care of my nephews, up and down stairs doing laundry, cleaning the house…she’s nuts.
Favorite sandwich? Media Noche, of course!
Are you part of the Sandwich Generation? Tell me.No, but only because I don’t have kids yet.
What goes into a Classic Cuban Sandwich?
What you said ๐
What’s your favorite sandwich?
Vietnamese Banh Mi
Yes, I am part of the sandwich generation. I am raising my son, who is 9 and my Mom is in her 70’s. She is pretty independent, but does rely on me to take her to dr’s appointments and shopping. Sometimes scheduling between getting her things done and getting to my son’s activities collide (forget about mine), but we manage.What’s in a Classic Cuban Sandwich? Sliced Ham, Pork, Swiss Cheese, French’s Mustard, Dill Pickle and nice bread that toasts well (I also use French bread because there is no Cuban bread sold anywhere near me).
My favorite sandwich? C’mon, it’s a Cuban Sandwich.
I don’t feel the pressure of Sandwich Generation anymore as my kids are grown and out of the house. I’m blessed that my feisty 83 year old mother is still very active and thank God in excellent health.What goes into a Cuban Sandwich – all the goodness that you mentioned.
My all time favorite sandwich has to be una croqueta preparada con un cafe con leche (never been a soda fan).
Ha, hahaha! Nice transition there from “sandwich” to “Sandwich” and now I’m hungry.I used to hate Cuban sandwiches as a kid because of the mustard and the pickles. Blasphemy! ๐
Can you believe I don’t own a plancha??Not yet in the Sandwich Generation.
Classic Cuban Sandwich: Cuban Bread, Mustard, Swiss Cheese, Sweet Pickle, Ham, Roast Pork
I like Cuban Sandwiches, but my favorite is a Media Noche because of that sweet, buttery bread.
I’m not part of the Sandwich Generation, since I was born in 1972, grew up in Cuba, and came here in 1994.On a Cuban sandwich, I never use butter, and I love to mix some mayo with the mustard. Also like to put kosher pickles on it, and have it with a mango or guava juice.
My all-time favorite sandwich is “pa amb tomaquet” with a slice of queso manchego on top.
Wow what a beautiful sandwich press!!!! yes I am part of the sandwich generation…until recently when my grandmother passed..i was taking care of her and also taking care of my children and husband at the same time. It truly is not easy, and most people don’t understand the stress put on us when we are torn in two different directions…it is truly heartbreaking at times. If i had to pick just one sandwich for my favorite, i would have to say a well made, with real roasted turkey and real mayo and lovely vine ripe tomatoes… a turkey BLT. its just heaven…
What goes into a Cuban sandwich? MIS DIENTES!!! Love your posts and giveaways.
Taking care of my 89 year old grandmother and 3/5 year old grandchildren presently. Temporary sandwich here.Now what goes into a Cuban sandwich? MIS DIENTES!! Love your posts and giveaways.
P.S. Sorry- forgot to answer the question in my first comment.
I am almost part of the Sandwich Generation. I am a helicopter daughter being that I live in Central Florida and they live in Miami. I handle all their affairs and when they go to the Dr. I have them take a cell phone so I can talk to the Dr. I already have a spare bedroom/bath to be ready when they are no longer independent or want to move in. The times I have them over is quite crazy because I take care of my 4yr old grandson. By the time they depart I am ready for a Valium drip. I consider myself extremely blessed that I still have them and they can enjoy their great grandson.I would not change any of the ingredients in your version of the Cuban sandwich…it is a true Cuban.
My favorite sandwich is…pan con lechon.
Hi Marta,My favorite Cuban-style sandwich is an Elena Ruth. I haven’t had one in a while since I left Miami but as I recall it was on pan cubano, sliced turkey breast, cream cheese and jelly, strawberry I think. And then lightly toasted in one of those incredible sandwich planchas. Yum…brings back delicious memories.
Marta, I love this post…how you were able to weave a personal narrative, recipe and give away so seamlessly together…and all in your loving voice of honesty and family celebration. Kudos my blogging queen!
Yep, we ‘sandwiched’ after Pam’s mom got sick & moved here so we could care for her. Favorite sandwich??? Meatloaf!
Slurp! รฑamรฑam… love those Cuban sandwiches. Best one I had was a few years ago in Guanabo… hmmmm…
What a lucky girl you are to have your Mom living with you,mine is 8 hours away and can’t see her that often but you seem to be a good and loving Daughter and you sure wouldn’t be human if you didn’t feel sorry for yourself, its because of the fabulous women in my childhood and women like you that makes me proud to call myself Cuban.GOD BLESS
Maria
Are you part of the Sandwich Generation?I was. Wow. It’s been 16 years since my only parent, my mom, died. For about 3 years I cooked and cleaned for her. She was diabetic and ended up struggling with congested heart failure. At the time I had children at home around Junior High age that I was home schooling.
What goes into a Classic Cuban Sandwich?
Well. I have never made one. But I figure it has delicious pork in it!
What’s your favorite sandwich?
I’m pretty sure this will gross everyone out but my favorite sandwich is *insert drum roll here…..banana and mayonnaise! Pretty sure it won’t work in the sandwich maker but if I won I’d figure out how to make an classic Cuban sandwich….Irish style!
Hola!!!I don’t have a sandwich press, so I’m entering…
Am I a part of the Sandwich Generation? Yes I have been for several years. My 25 year old daughter still lives with us and in fact just last week we helped her buy a car, before that she was using mine. I have taken care of my 93 yo mother for sometime, since my dad passed away in 2001. Grocery shopping, Doctor’s appt, Christmas shopping, you name it. Now she is in a Convalescent Hospital due to a hip fracture since August and there is a meeting with them in Nov to decide where she will go. Lord help us!! It is such important step!
What goes into a Cuban Sandwich:
Pan cubano or french, yellow mustard, Swiss cheese, pickles, roast pork, serrano ham (preferred), butter for the outside of the bread.
What is my fav sandwich? I love pan con bistec and cebollitas, also Cuban sandwich from Portos Bakery!!
Yummy
Hugs,
Esther Avila-Young
So. Cal
My dear friend, I feel I AM the poster child of the sandwich generation. I brought my Mom from Cuba five years ago, and my Dad about 2.5 years ago. I brought them to live with me and my Cubanito 2.0. That makes me the captain of this unconventional Cuban ship, planted in the foothills of the Rockies…so, tell me about “What about me?” moments!My favorite sandwich is el cubano, of course. I follow the ingredients you posted except one thing: my roasted pork had to be sliced. (Blame it on my OCD)
And no, I do not own a plancha and yes, I can always use yet another coffee maker!
Besos!
๐
The most important ingridient in making a Cuban Sandwich is the “love of your cuban roots” that goes into making it. Keeping the roots alive from generation to generation. Marta you do that “every day” congrats!!!
Yes, I’m part of the sandwich generation as I help my 81-year-old Mom out and balance husband, sons, and work, too.A classic Cuban has ONLY the following ingredients: Cuban Bread, Yellow Mustard, Swiss Cheese, Dill Pickles, thinly-sliced Roast Pork and Ham.
I love a good Media Noche sandwich with a cafรฉ con leche.
Well, I’m not part of teh sandwich generation but I love sandwiches. Anything from PB&J to grilled veggies with brie and avocadoes ๐
Yes, I’m a part of the sandwich generation. You have to be if you are the cook and you work full time.My favorite is Corned Beef sandwich on rye bread with mustard, and if there is a bowl of Matzo Ball soup to go with it OMG! I’m in heaven.
I make Cuban sandwiches at home with all the ingredients mentioned above, I don’t have a “plancha” but my George Forman grill works as well.
Happy Halloween everyone!
En Cuba en la ciudad de Cardenas habรญa una cafeterรญa que hacia “bocaditos” llevaban mantequilla de la latica! Por dentro y por fuera, jamรณn serrano, pierna,queso holandรฉs,todo picadito bien fino, tostadito en un pan blanco (cubano, que no se paresia en nada al de aqui) los pepinillos y las papitas (home made potato chips) en un costado del plato. El lugar se llamaba La Vencedora. Yo siempre lo pedia en invierno con chocolate caliente y en verano con batido de chocolate y la boca se me hace agua!!! Mi madre aqui los imitaba bastante bien a ella tambien le encantaban.
Lo mas importante se me olvido mami le ponia la cazuela de presion llena de agua ensima para escacharlos ja ja!
I am part of the Sandwich generation, well eventually. My kids are real young and my parents still don’t need help from us but it will be in the not to distant future. My all time favorite sandwich is the croqueta preparada! Yum!
I can understand trying to balance everybody’s needs and not having much time left for yourself. I had a horrible time and would either be guilty, when I dared do something like go read a book in bed, or feeling resentful when all the kids were tucked in bed, my husband wanted me to scratch his back (how dare he). I came up with Mommy’s day. Each day a different person in our family would have their ‘day’. When it’s your day you get to choose what to eat and what we would watch on tv and no chores were expected to be performed. I could not wait for Thursdays cause that would be ‘Mommy’s Day’.When it comes to sandwich, I like Pan con Bistec. Cuban bread, thin steak, onions and potato sticks. The best has to be from Morro Castle in Miami, with a thick chocolate shake and churros…nom nom nom….
My favorite Cuban sandwich is the Elena Ruth…
I love any type of Cuban sandwich, but my favorite is the pan con bistec. It has to have papitas, cebollitas but I dont want lettuce or tomato in it. Can you believe that once I got one and they had put mayo on it – Yetch!I also love the medianoche and love to get a couple of ham croquetas and put them between the two sides of pan Cubano – plain and simple.
I’m from Tampa and I’ve eaten Cuban sandwiches and Cuban food all my life, from eating at my Cuban friends house to enjoying Cuban food from a Mom and Pop restaurant, my favorites being anything with roast pork and picadillo. I hope I can pass a little history on the Cuban sandwich in the states. My grandmother Opal was born in Tampa and remembers having the Cuban sandwich when she was young. She worked at a Cuban cigar factory in Tampa, in an area where they made the cigars and they also made coffee. I’ve read where this is the area where the U.S. Cuban sandwich started out of a food wagon. The one difference with this sandwich is that Genoa salami was added to the ham, pork and swiss cheese to satisfy the many Italians, who also worked at these factories. This was in the late 1800’s so this goes way back. U.S. made Cuban bread was also started in Tampa around that same time. We always bought ours from La Segunda Bakery, the first having burned down. Interestingly, they achieved the nice crust on the bread from a piece of moistened palmetto leaf placed on the bread dough. I want to thank you for your Cuban recipes and your insight into Cuban culture.