A medianoche is a popular sandwich enjoyed for lunch, as a snack, or after a night of partying. Medianoche is the Spanish word for "midnight." You can find this sandwich in cafeterias and restaurants all over Miami. Some call it the cousin of the Cuban sandwich because the two are almost identical.
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What's the difference between a Cuban sandwich and a medianoche?
Both sandwiches are made with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. The main difference is the bread. A Cuban sandwich is made with Cuban bread, while a medianoche is made with soft, slightly sweet egg bread.
Ingredients you'll need
- Roast Pork - called lechon in Spanish, Cuban-style pork is marinated in mojo and roasted in the oven, barbecue, or open-pit. Try this Cuban roast pork recipe if you need one.
- Sweet Ham - have it sliced on the thick side so it holds its own with the pork.
- Swiss Cheese
- Sliced Dill Pickles
- Yellow Mustard
- Medianoche Rolls
- Butter - to brush on top prior to pressing
📖 See the recipe card below for quantities and preparation.
How to make a medianoche
Assemble the sandwich by layering the roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on a medianoche roll. Brush the outside of the bread lightly with softened butter.
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Traditionally, a medianoche is pressed on a plancha or in a panini press until the bread is golden and toasted and the cheese is melted. If you don't have either, a heavy skillet works just as well.
Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium to medium-low heat. Place the buttered sandwich in the skillet and set another heavy skillet, a cast iron bacon press, or a large heavy lid on top. Press down gently while the sandwich cooks.
When the bottom is golden brown, carefully flip the sandwich and press it again until the other side is toasted and the cheese is melted.
This recipe makes one sandwich. To make more, simply double, triple, or quadruple the ingredients. For parties, cut each sandwich into 3 or 4 pieces and secure each one with a toothpick before serving.
Substitutions
If you don't have leftover roast pork, pork tenderloin is a good alternative. Marinate it in mojo, cook until fully cooked, and slice it thin.
If you can't find medianoche rolls, use a soft bread with a touch of sweetness, such as challah, brioche, or Hawaiian sweet rolls.
If you enjoyed this medianoche, try another one of our favorite Cuban-inspired sandwiches. Pan con lechon and pan con bistec are Miami classics, and our Cuban chicken sandwich is a delicious twist on the traditional flavors.
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📖 Recipe
Medianoche
Ingredients
- 1 Medianoche Roll use Challah, brioche or Hawaiian sweet rolls if you can't find medianoche rolls
- ½ teaspoon Yellow Mustard or to taste
- 3-4 slices Sweet Ham (approximately 4 - 5 ounces)
- 3-4 ounces Roast Pork sliced
- 6-8 Dill Pickle Chips
- 2 slices Swiss Cheese (approximately 2 ounces)
- ½ teaspoon Butter softened
Instructions
- You will also need: pastry brush, sandwich press or panini maker
Build the medianoche
- Slice the roll open.
- Lay the bread open and spread the top with mustard.
- Layer the ham on the bottom.
- Add the sliced roast pork
- Add the pickles, staggered to cover almost the entire area, so that every bite contains pickle.
- Top with Swiss cheese and cover with the bread.
- Heat the sandwich press to medium.
- Brush the top of the roll lightly with the softened butter.
- Gently place the sandwich on the preheated surface and press the top down. Don't press too hard, just place it and let the weight and gravity start flattening the sandwich. Let the sandwich cook until the bread is slightly toasted and the cheese has melted, about 7-10 minutes. Keep an eye on it and check it after 5 minutes to gauge the remaining time.
- Cut the medianoche in half at an angle and serve.
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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