I know, you were expecting something for Cinco de Mayo, but as it turns out the 5th of May is also National Hoagies Day. Yep, an entire day dedicated to a sandwich that has more alias than most bad guys. Sub, Heroes, Grinders, Blimp, Zeppelin, or Torpedo just to name a few.
Sub is probably the most widely used name for this type of cold sandwich. Subs are typically served on a long Italian Roll as short as six inches to as much as six feet. The sandwich was named for its shape – much like a submarine. It’s this same resemblance that earned the sandwich such names as Blimp, Zeppelin and Torpedo.
Heroes, a sandwich that hails from New York City, can be served warm or cold and its filling span far beyond the typical meats and cheeses.
Grinders come from New England. Like the hero, a grinder can be served warm or cold. Grinders have also been known to contain meatballs or slices of chicken breast. Some say the sandwich got its name because to eat one requires a lot of grinding and chewing.
Today we are going to follow those from Philadelphia and South Jersey, people that are darn right adamant about what to call this sandwich, it’s a Hoagie. Like a sub, hoagies are also served cold, but with a stronger association to Italian-Americans. Some say the sandwich was popular among Italian immigrants who worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, once known as Hog Island. These workers were known as “hoggies”, a name the eventually morphed into “hoagies”, a name that stuck with the sandwich. At least that’s how one story tells it. Like all food legends, who really know? More importantly, who cares how the Hoagie got its name, so long as it’s good eating!
Italian Hoagie Sandwich with Cherry Pepper Relish
Cherry Pepper Relish
2 tablespoons White Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoon sugar
3 Garlic Cloves
12 pickled Cherry Peppers from a jar
To Make the Pickled Cherry Pepper Relish
In the base of a small food processor, add the white wine vinegar, sugar and pickled cherry peppers.
Peel the garlic, add to the processor. Pulse the mixture a few times until everything is puréed to a chunky relish consistency.
Transfer the mixture to a small bowl, cover and reserve for later.
Red Wine Vinaigrette
1 tablespoon Parsley
1 teaspoon Thyme Leaves
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
3/4 cup Olive Oil
Kosher Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
To Make Red Wine Vinaigrette
Finely chop the parsley and Thyme leaves. Place leaves in a medium size bowl.
Add red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard to the bowl. Whisk to blend.
Slowly stream in the olive oil, whisking constantly to ensure that the dressing emulsifies. Season the mixture with salt and pepper; set aside for later.
Hoagie Sandwich
1 large Beefsteak Tomato
1/2 cup Iceberg Lettuce
4 tablespoons pickled Pepperoncini Peppers
1 teaspoon Parsley, minced
1/2 teaspoon Oregano Leaves, minced
1/2 teaspoon Resemary Needles, minced
2 Italian Hoagie Rolls
4 tablespoons Mayonnaise
Cherry Pepper Relish (above)
4 oz sliced Genoa Salami
4 oz sliced Mortadella (Boar’s Head carries)
4 oz sliced Prosciutto di Parma
6 slices Povolone cheese
Red Wine Vinaigrette (above)
Kosher Salt to taste
Fresh Black Pepper to taste
To Assemble the Italian Hoagies
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Slice tomato into rounds for the sandwich. Set aside.
Shred the iceberg lettuce, set aside.
Finely mince the parsley and oregano leaves, set aside.
Finely mince only the needles of the fresh Rosemary, set aside.
On a sheet pan, toast the hoagie rolls for 5 minutes.
Slice the roll lengthwise without going all the way through. Open the roll and spread the mayonnaise evenly on the top and bottom layers, followed by the pickled cherry pepper spread.
Shingle the salami across the bottom half, followed by the mortadella, prosciutto, provolone and tomatoes. Add the pepperoncini; sprinkle with the parsley, oregano and rosemary; and spread the iceberg lettuce across the top. Drizzle with the red wine vinaigrette, then season with salt and pepper.
Slice in half and serve right away.
One final thought – come September 14th, it’s another National Hoagie Day, not to be confused with this one. On September 14th, it’s National Eat a Hoagie Day. I’m not sure what that means- do we make hoagies today and wait four months to eat them?
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