It’s Have a Sandwich Day!

Today is National Sandwich Day. I know, strange that something usually served cold would have its day in November, when a sandwich is the furthest thing from your mind unless is might be an open-faced Turkey Sandwich. Yet here we are, honoring the Sandwich. Why? Because Americans eat more than 300 million sandwiches a day. It is the most popular thing to put in a brown paper bag.

Everyone knows that the sandwich as we know it today was popularized in England around 1762 by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. He created the concept of a sandwich out of necessity. It seems the Earl had two problems. The first was a need to eat, the second, more pressing, was a need to gamble. The Earl of Sandwich was known to spend hours on end playing cards. As the story goes, during a long binge at the card table, he requested that the house cook make him something he could eat without getting up from his seat, while continuing to play cards. And so it was that the Sandwich was born. The Earl loved it so much that he ate it constantly – a simply brilliant idea of meat between slices of bread. The concoction grew popular in London’s society circles and was given the Earl’s name, Sandwich. While John Montagu was not the first person to eat fillings between slices of bread, he was responsible for its popularity among the Royals and those of influence in society. While all the rage in Europe, in America the sandwich was not so popular. American cooks tended to avoid culinary trends from their former ruling state. Over time, as memory faded, the sandwich caught on. While today the most popular sandwich is the ham sandwich, when America first embraced the idea it was the tongue sandwich that they sought. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad things have changed.

Who would have thought that a game of cards could lead to a Nation celebrating the sandwich?

Cobb Ham Salad Sub Sandwich
4 hard-boiled Eggs
8 Bacon Strips, cooked and crumbled
1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, chopped
1 loaf (1 lb) Italian Bread, whole
1/2 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette
6 cups fresh Baby Spinach
1 1/2 lbs sliced Deli Ham
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese

Place eggs in a pot, cover with cold water. Bring to a full boil. Remove from heat, cover and let steep for 14 minutes. Plunge eggs into an ice-water bath to stop further cooking. Let eggs cool completely, peel and finely chop. Set aside.

While the eggs are cooking, fry bacon crisp. Drain on paper towels. Crumble cooked bacon and set aside.

Chop cherry tomatoes into small pieces. Set aside.

Cut loaf of bread in half; hollow out top and bottom, leaving a 3/4-inch shell (discard removed bread or save for another use such as croutons or bread for stuffing). Brush vinaigrette over bread halves.

Layer spinach, ham, eggs, bacon, cheese and tomatoes on bread bottom. Replace top. Cut in half lengthwise; cut crosswise five times to make 12 total pieces. Wrap sandwich slices individually or arrange on a serving platter and cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve.

Author: Rosemarie's Kitchen

I'm a wife, mother, grandmother and avid home cook.I believe in eating healthy whenever possible, while still managing to indulge in life's pleasures. View all posts by Rosemarie's Kitchen