Turkey Cubano
Two heated baking pans topped by a cast-iron skillet stand in for a sandwich press in this easy Cubano recipe. It also substitutes sliced turkey for the usual roast pork, but retains the melted cheese, sliced ham and slivers of pickle that makes the traditional sandwich so incredibly compelling. Deli ham is the go-to choice here, but prosciutto gives a deeper, saltier flavor; use whichever you like.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. mayonnaise
- Hot sauce or mustard, to taste
- 2 12-inch soft hero rolls, split in half horizontally
- 3 to 4 ounces cooked turkey breast, thinly sliced
- 8 slices deli ham or prosciutto
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- ⅓ cup pepperoncini peppers or other pickled hot peppers, sliced
- 1 large dill pickle, sliced
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of the oven and another rack directly below it.
- Place a rimmed baking sheet on each rack.
- Once the pans are inside, heat oven to 350°F.
- In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise and stir in hot sauce or mustard to taste; it should have a kick.
- Spread mayonnaise mixture inside the rolls, coating both the top and bottom halves.
- Layer rolls with turkey, ham, cheese, pepperoncini and pickle slices.
- Using your hands, press the sandwiches down and make sure nothing slides out; If it does, poke it back in.
- Use a brush to butter the top and bottom halves of the rolls.
- Remove a hot baking sheet from the oven and place the sandwiches on top.
- Layer the other hot baking sheet on top of the sandwiches.
- Place a small pot cast-iron skillet, or other heavy heatproof item, on top of that second hot baking sheet to create a press.
- Carefully return to oven and bake until sandwiches are warm, toasted and golden brown and the cheese is melted; 8 to 13 minutes.
- Lift off the second pan to check on the sandwiches.
- Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.