127 weeks... intermission

The Sandwich

Not so much a sandwich classic but remember that scene in Pulp Fiction, "... and you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in Paris?" The dialogue is hilarious, but it does make one think about the little differences. So what makes a sandwich the sandwich? That got me curious. I mean, who doesn't take a sandwich for granted.

Isn't it easy to take a sandwich for granted? Not to know where it came from, or how it originated. That is like when I eat a hamburger I typically don't think Germany. I am not sure such a savory moment needs a history footnote. But in my book it is cool to know where stuff comes from, and a list of regional sandwich styles is a good start. Okay, especially if so inclined to be a sandwich scholar. Is there such a profession?

I'd say it's easy to take something for granted when it seems inert. That is, naturally occurring, and ever present. I mean, isn't a sandwich everywhere? Is there really that much culinary inspiration for a filling between two pieces of bread? I probably asked myself that question a couple of times.

A sandwich just seemed mundane. Its eating occurred often, and even routinely. It probably started with that staple P&J sandwich. Then surely it progressed with that quick fix of a sandwich. I can almost see myself now dealing out those two pieces of bread. Plopping down a slice of bologna, and then squirting out mustard. Not a sandwich artisan, but did give simple sustenance. A sandwich was a commodity, not a food experience. It filled a lunchbox based on a budget (the expense of food ingredients), and its nourishment (and I think nutrition was a second thought). People have to eat, and well, why not a sandwich. How about 42 billion every year (American sandwich consumption, compared to 11 billion in the United Kingdom). [Citizendium]

Now that is not such a mundane figure, in terms of sandwich consumption. You could say a sandwich is big business. But what I am curious about is the culinary sandwich. The sandwich! I am not sure what gave me the hoopla to write about it. I'll just proceed with the circumstances.

The Cuban

The Cuban sandwich... My readings had taken me here and there, and even way over there. I wanted to savor the answer with words of resolution. To be like a local in the know. I wanted to taste "what food is the state of Florida known for?" Reluctantly after sorting out all sorts of food combinations, I had to decide... cuban food, Miami style.

I'd say that this thread got me thinking, "how about the sandwich?" All kinds of food tidbits were dancing in my head. Not so much pictures of sugar plums, but a whole lot of food combinations that I had read about - the last being the cuban sandwich, and how to spot a fraud. This wasn't the first time a sandwich had been mentioned while food-by biking for the World Tour.

The Italian

The Italian sandwich... is considered Maine's signature sandwich. "What? A sandwich?", I probably said. But now I am doing a double-take on these sandwich anecdotes. It reads that a Submarine is also known as a sub, grinder, hero, hoagie, italian, po'boy, wedge, zep, torpedo or roll. What to make of all that (sandwich jargon)? Well, history seems to give credit to Portland, Maine as being the birthplace to the Italian sandwich. But what is the difference between those other terms, like hoagie? If a sandwich is distinguished primarily by the bread or method of preparation, rather than the filling, then do little differences make a sandwich the sandwich?

I'll paraphrase it like this, "It's the little differences. I mean, they got the same 'sandwich' over there that we got here, but it's just - it's just there it's a little different." I'd agree that the popularity of these Submarines had grown from its origins in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts to spread to most parts of the United States [and available in many parts of the world thru its chain restaurants].

han 'n' cheese

Well, besides the growl of my stomach this sandwich talk got me reminiscing that mundane sandwich. That is, if you are like me, I have eaten a lot of sandwiches. So much that a sandwich timeline could describe my life.

Let me see... my first routines were with a Hardees' ham 'n' cheese sandwich.

chicken sandwich

After a few years of loyal consumption with that sandwich I then switched. Not sure when, where, or why, but I got a new routine with McDonalds' crispy chicken sandwich. And do I mean a routine... that was like the only sandwich I would eat when doing the fast food thing. I ate so many at that Dinkytown McDonald's when a student at the University of Minnesota that I swore that I would never eat at a McDonald's again (...after I graduated).

club sandwich

As a consumption footnote... I (we) had jumped sides to Burger King, which of course I ate their chicken sandwich. Not sure why, but was only for a short stint, and then switched back to old faithful - McDonald's. I never craved fast food burgers, although, lately if have to fast food dine I order... cannot believe it... a burger. I'd say that I loyally consumed a chicken sandwich for many, many, many years. Not often, but sometimes I'd eat a Subway's club sandwich (...maybe after I graduated).

Japanese bento

The Bento... unlike the mundane sandwiches I had been eating, Japanese food brought out my culinary interest. Japan is my foodie home (I lived 3 years in Japan while stationed as a Marine). My fond favorites were curry udon, inari, onigiri, okonomiyaki, "chicken shack", and I absolutely loved a picnic bento (...which tasted as if she lovingly made just for me).

Oddly, I don't recall eating sandwiches. At least it didn't seem like part of my diet during that time. Although, my favorite bread shop was Andersen on the main shopping street in Hiroshima. Loved it!... bakery and more. I am sure that I probably ate a few sandwiches here and there from a local 7-eleven.

7-eleven

It seemed like every corner had a 7-eleven. No wonder... Japan has over 13,007 stores (as of December 31, 2010). I don't really have a taste memory for these sandwiches. I'd describe these convenient store sandwiches looking mundane; simple white bread, homemade like, with seemly odd ingredients. I guess you could say why eat a sandwich in Japan, when they have so much more to offer.

It's like being in a candy store, eyes bulging with each new sight. I want to try this, and that, with so many delights. Why pick a sour taste? Now I am not saying Japanese sandwiches are bad, but I don't think bread eating is as popular, as like in the United States. I'd go so far to say that America is like the Sandwich capital of the world - both mundane and culinary sandwiches - the sandwich! [...Japan then would be like the Bento capital of the world.] Obviously, there is more to Japan's food scene than these convenient store sandwiches. I recall on later visits being more food picturesque. That is, seemly more curious, and eager to seek out any cool food trends, especially sandwiches. But during those visits I don't recall ever sampling a katsu sandwich.

The Katsu

The Katsu sandwich...