Celebrated each year during the month of August, National Sandwich Month is a time for us to honor our universal love of sandwiches. Far from humble purveyors of lunchmeat and cheese, sandwiches have become elevated across cultures to become gourmet experiences, full of fresh flavors, vegetables, and perfectly prepared meats. International Fresh Market, your go-to for fresh meat cuts, has a list of some of the world’s top sandwiches, from the Vietnamese bánh mì to the decadent cemita from Mexico.
Bánh Mì From Vietnam
For fresh flavor and a special “zing,” you can’t beat the Vietnamese bánh mì. This sandwich has French colonial roots, being served in a crusty French baguette, but has become synonymous with many Asian cultures. To make this sandwich at home, you’ll need fresh French bread. A baguette is the ideal vessel for a bánh mì.
Toast the baguette on a skillet with butter and spread a thin layer of pâté inside the bread. Fill the baguette with pickled vegetables, including carrots and daikon, sliced cucumbers, cilantro, jalapenos, and the meat of your choice. Pork or chicken are the traditional options. Serve the sandwich immediately for the best flavor. Fresh vegetables are key to this sandwich. Try to find freshly-picked cucumbers and jalapenos in the grocery store for the best results.
Panini From Italy
The panini is a hot sandwich that originated in Italy and has since become popular with sandwich lovers worldwide. Paninis are extremely versatile and can be made on ciabatta or focaccia bread, or even on sourdough in a pinch. For truly Italian flavor, try making a panini on ciabatta bread and filling it with fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, prosciutto or other deli meats, and fresh basil.
To make a panini, heat a panini press to medium heat and spray it lightly with olive oil. Place your filled sandwich on the press and slowly lower the handle until heat is enveloping the sandwich. Grill for two to four minutes or until the panini is golden-brown and the filling is melty and delicious. Serve the panini right away, while it’s still warm, with chips or fruit on the side.
Shawarma Wrap From the Middle East
Middle Eastern food is known for rich flavor, and the shawarma wrap is no exception. Made with versatile pita bread, a shawarma wrap is not only delicious but light and fresh, perfect for a workday lunch when you don’t want to feel over-stuffed but still satisfied. To make a shawarma wrap, assemble your ingredients: Pita bread, marinated meat (either chicken, beef, or lamb), tahini sauce, garlic sauce, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Build the wrap starting with meat, and topping it with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles. Drizzle the wrap with your choice of either tahini sauce or garlic sauce. The best shawarma wraps feature seasonal vegetables and freshly-grilled meat, so select vegetables that are at the peak of ripeness from your local international grocery store. You can either grill your meat outside or if you’re pressed for time, sear it in a stovetop pan. Make sure to season meat appropriately with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor!
Cemita From Mexico
Similar to a torta, the cemita is one of Mexico’s favorite sandwiches. Originating from the Puebla area of Mexico, the cemita is a sandwich stuffed with fried meat, avocado, Oaxacan cheese, chipotle peppers, refried beans, and papalo, a popular herb. Some choose to omit the fried beans, while others add ingredients like pickled jalapenos.
The most important ingredient in a cemita is the roll. Studded with sesame seeds and preferably baked fresh, cemita rolls are baked from a rich dough, giving them a dense texture that’s the perfect vehicle for the heavy breaded meat and beans. When making a cemita at home, you can opt to scoop out bread from the center of the roll to allow more room for the ingredients to shine or leave it as is. Either way, don’t expect to have room for a side dish like chips or fruit – a cemita is a meal in itself.
Smørrebrød From Denmark
Often referred to as the “ultimate open-faced sandwich,” smørrebrød hails from Denmark. Endlessly customizable and hearty, this sandwich has long been a favorite of hosts and guests alike. Smørrebrød is made from a base of sturdy rye bread and topped with anything from cottage cheese and fruit to pickled herring or roast beef.
To make this traditional sandwich in one of its most popular iterations, toast a thick slab of rye bread, preferably homemade or purchased fresh. Spread a thin layer of liver pâté over the toast, and top with pickled herring, roast beef, and shrimp. On top of the protein, layer hard-boiled eggs, radishes, and herbs. To create dessert versions of this classic, spread apricot jam or thick cottage cheese over the toast, and top with fresh fruit. Smørrebrød is ideal as a party food, so feel free to get your guests involved. Consider laying out the plan slices of rye bread alongside bowls of sweet and savory toppings and inviting your guests to build and garnish their own smørrebrød. There’s no wrong way to build one of these hearty Danish sandwiches!
Get Fresh Meat Cuts at International Fresh Market
From fresh and flavorful to hearty and interactive, every culture’s sandwich reveals a bit more about the people and time in which the sandwich was developed. Just as food has evolved over the years, so to should you feel encouraged to explore and have fun with your food. Make one or all of these sandwiches the next time you decide to try something new and discover just how delicious other cuisines can be!
For all your ingredient needs, from fresh produce to deli meat, International Fresh Market has you covered. We have all the ingredients you need to build all of these sandwiches, just in time for National Sandwich Month. Visit us today to explore what we have to offer or check out our website to explore our selection and start planning your menu.
