The history of Italian hero sandwiches dates back to the early 20th century when Italian immigrants settled in the United States. Bringing with them their culinary traditions, these immigrants introduced a new and delicious creation to the American culinary world. The hero sandwich, also known as a submarine sandwich or sub, was born to create portable and filling meals for hardworking laborers.
Italian hero sandwiches typically feature a long, crusty Italian bread roll, often referred to as a hero roll or a sub roll. The roll is sliced lengthwise and filled with a variety of Italian meats, such as salami, ham, mortadella, and capicola. These cured meats are complemented by a variety of cheeses, typically provolone or mozzarella, and topped with an assortment of vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. The sandwich is then drizzled with olive oil and vinegar, and sprinkled with herbs and spices, adding an extra bit of flavor.
In certain regions, you might come across a mouthwatering variation known as the meatball sub. Succulent meatballs made from a blend of ground beef, pork, or veal are simmered in a rich marinara sauce, then stuffed into a soft hero roll. A generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese adds a delightful savory note, making it an irresistible choice for those seeking a hearty and fulfilling sandwich.
Another popular variation is the chicken parm sub, which takes inspiration from the beloved Italian dish, chicken Parmigiana. Tender chicken cutlets are breaded, fried to perfection, and dipped in marinara sauce. These golden cutlets are then placed inside a hero roll and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, creating a combination of flavors and textures that is sure to satisfy.
Beyond the traditional combinations, innovative variations continue to emerge, satisfying the palates of sandwich enthusiasts. Some may opt for vegetarian or vegan versions, featuring roasted vegetables, marinated tofu, or plant-based deli slices, paired with flavorful spreads and toppings. Others may experiment with different cheeses, such as creamy gorgonzola or sharp provolone, or add a kick with spicy peppers or tangy pickles.
As we conclude our journey through the origins and varieties of Italian hero sandwiches, one thing becomes abundantly clear: these culinary delights are a true testament to the rich heritage and culinary prowess of Italy. From their humble beginnings in Italian-American communities to their widespread popularity today, Italian hero sandwiches have captivated taste buds and satisfied cravings around the world. Whether you prefer the classic trio of cured meats and cheeses or crave a vegetarian masterpiece bursting with fresh vegetables and herbs, the possibilities are endless. So, the next time you sink your teeth into a delectable Italian hero sandwich, take a moment to appreciate the history and craftsmanship this beloved culinary creation brings to your plate. Buon appetito!
None of these were bespoke sandwiches, and we made no attempt to customize a hero at any one shop to mimic the hero at another. Instead, we ordered a preconfigured combo from each menu and allowed each shop to prepare a sandwich that it does well. Even the names of the sandwiches are different, reflecting the difficulty of direct comparisons.
Whichever way we turned amid the crowded shelves of Sorriso Italian Salumeria in Astoria, we faced an almost overwhelming display of specialty foods, many of them imported from the old country. Our eventual destination, the prepared-food counter, was even more bewildering: Multiple sandwich menus, both hand-lettered and professionally printed, featured imaginative combos often named for figures of popular culture.
A delicious Italian Hero sandwich stuffed with hearty meat, provolone cheese, fresh and flavorful veggies, and dressed with a red wine vinaigrette and a touch of Mediterranean oregano. This sandwich offers authentic Italian flavors and a perfect easy to make lunch idea!
With this recipe, you are getting a lovely hero layered with lots of meats, cheese, and veggies. With the layers of authentic Italian meats, provolone cheese, all your favorite veggies, red wine vinaigrette, and Mediterranean oregano, it is like your tastebuds are taking a vacation.
The roll is an important component. I went to my local bakery and asked for a whole wheat Italian Hero Roll, or hoagie roll, or sub roll. But you can use whatever roll you like best. I toasted mine in the oven for a few minutes to help crisp things up. But this step is not necessary, it just helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy, and adds some texture.
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Garibaldi was a follower of the Italian nationalist Mazzini and embraced the republican nationalism of the Young Italy movement.[3] He became a supporter of Italian unification under a democratic republican government. However, breaking with Mazzini, he pragmatically allied himself with the monarchist Cavour and Kingdom of Sardinia in the struggle for independence, subordinating his republican ideals to his nationalist ones until Italy was unified. After participating in an uprising in Piedmont, he was sentenced to death, but escaped and sailed to South America, where he spent 14 years in exile, during which he took part in several wars and learned the art of guerrilla warfare.[4] In 1835 he joined the rebels known as the Ragamuffins (farrapos), in the Ragamuffin War in Brazil, and took up their cause of establishing the Riograndense Republic and later the Catarinense Republic. Garibaldi also became involved in the Uruguayan Civil War, raising an Italian force known as Redshirts, and is still celebrated as an important contributor to Uruguay's reconstitution.
In 1848, Garibaldi returned to Italy and commanded and fought in military campaigns that eventually led to Italian unification. The provisional government of Milan made him a general and the Minister of War promoted him to General of the Roman Republic in 1849. When the war of independence broke out in April 1859, he led his Hunters of the Alps in the capture of major cities in Lombardy, including Varese and Como, and reached the frontier of South Tyrol; the war ended with the acquisition of Lombardy. The following year, 1860, he led the Expedition of the Thousand on behalf of, and with the consent of, Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia. The expedition was a success and concluded with the annexation of Sicily, Southern Italy, Marche and Umbria to the Kingdom of Sardinia before the creation of a unified Kingdom of Italy on 17 March 1861. His last military campaign took place during the Franco-Prussian War as commander of the Army of the Vosges.
Garibaldi became an international figurehead for national independence and republican ideals, and is considered by twentieth-century historiography and popular culture as Italy's greatest national hero.[5][6] He was showered with admiration and praise by many contemporary intellectuals and political figures, including Abraham Lincoln,[7] William Brown,[8] Francesco de Sanctis, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Malwida von Meysenbug, George Sand, Charles Dickens,[9] and Friedrich Engels.[10]
Garibaldi also inspired later figures like Jawaharlal Nehru and Che Guevara.[11] Historian A. J. P. Taylor called him "the only wholly admirable figure in modern history".[12] In the popular telling of his story, he is associated with the red shirts that his volunteers, the Garibaldini, wore in lieu of a uniform.
Garibaldi was born and christened Joseph-Marie Garibaldi[13][note 2] on 4 July 1807 in Nice, which had been conquered by the French Republic in 1792, to the Ligurian family of Domenico Garibaldi from Chiavari[14] and Maria Rosa Nicoletta Raimondi from Loano.[15] In 1814, the Congress of Vienna returned Nice to Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia. (Nice would be returned to France in 1860 by the Treaty of Turin, over the objections of Garibaldi.)
In April 1833, he travelled to Taganrog, in the Russian Empire, aboard the schooner Clorinda with a shipment of oranges. During ten days in port, he met Giovanni Battista Cuneo from Oneglia, a politically active immigrant and member of the secret Young Italy movement of Giuseppe Mazzini. Mazzini was a passionate proponent of Italian unification as a liberal republic via political and social reform.
In November 1833, Garibaldi met Mazzini in Genoa, starting a long relationship that later became troubled. He joined the Carbonari revolutionary association, and in February 1834 participated in a failed Mazzinian insurrection in Piedmont.
Garibaldi first sailed to the Beylik of Tunis before eventually finding his way to the Empire of Brazil. Once there, he took up the cause of the Riograndense Republic in its attempt to separate from Brazil, joining the rebels known as the Ragamuffins in the Ragamuffin War of 1835.
During this war, he met Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva, commonly known as Anita. When the rebels proclaimed the Catarinense Republic in the Brazilian province of Santa Catarina in 1839, she joined him aboard his ship, Rio Pardo, and fought alongside him at the battles of Imbituba and Laguna.
Garibaldi aligned his forces with the Uruguayan Colorados led by Fructuoso Rivera and Joaqun Surez, who were aligned with the Argentine Unitarian Party. This faction received some support from the French and British in their struggle against the forces of former Uruguayan president Manuel Oribe's Blancos, which was also aligned with Argentine Federales under the rule of Buenos Aires caudillo Juan Manuel de Rosas. The Italian Legion adopted a black flag that represented Italy in mourning, with a volcano at the centre that symbolized the dormant power in their homeland. Though contemporary sources do not mention the Redshirts, popular history asserts that the legion first wore them in Uruguay, getting them from a factory in Montevideo that had intended to export them to the slaughterhouses of Argentina.[citation needed] These shirts became the symbol of Garibaldi and his followers.
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