Sandwiches from earth's edge

I've almost been to Portugal twice in the past few years. The first time, COVID popped up and shut down international travel. A couple of years after that I almost went back as part of a group trip with friends, but it wasn’t meant to be and we ended up in Amsterdam instead. The bad news here is that I haven’t been able to get to Portugal. The good news is, when I do finally make it there I’ll be far more prepared.

That’s because I've had the pleasure of hearing from a couple of club members who’ve recently traveled there. Aside from the great food, wine, beaches, and weather, Portugal also has a top tier sandwich culture. It makes sense when you think about it. This is a country that was known for their exploration and trade, and what better food to bring on a months long journey by sea than sandwiches. Are you surprised that Vasco da Gama was a big sandwich guy?

Ok, I’m not totally sure that Vasco took sandwiches on the boat with him. If he didn’t, what a huge mistake. But if he did, it would likely be these 3 that are a huge part of Portuguese eating.

The Bifana

If there's one sandwich that gets to the heart of Portuguese eating, it's the bifana. A ubiquitous comfort food supposedly found in just about every cafe or street food stall around the country. It’s made up of thin slices of braised pork served in a crusty bread roll called papo-seco. They’re often dressed with mustard and/or piri piri - a peppery, garlicky, citrusy blend that’s a worthy addition to any hot sauce collection. Can’t wait to try one of these.

The Tosta Mista

Sometimes the most comforting sandwiches are the straightforward ones. The tosta mista is Portugal's version of the croque monsieur (except the cheese stays inside here). It features thin slices of ham (fiambre) and a mild cheese grilled between bread until all golden and gooey. It's easy to find all over the country, and is very versatile. You’ll see people often eating it for breakfast, lunch, or a late-night snack to soak up drinks.

The Francesinha

This is where the Portuguese sandwiches get serious. The francesinha, originating from Porto, is a towering stack featuring layers of bread, ham, linguiça (Portuguese sausage), and steak, which are wrapped in melted cheese, topped with a fried egg, then finally covered in a beer-and-tomato-based gravy. Quite a mouthful. Oh, and it's typically served with a mountain of fries which you can use to soak up your leftover gravy. This one comes with lots of healthy debate about who does it best locally - which is where the healthy part of it ends.

Overall a very dependable and delicious looking trio of sandos. I’m sure you’ve heard the old story that back in Columbus's time Portugal was considered the end of the known universe. Obviously we would say it’s worth it to travel to the edge of the world for sandwiches like these. Hope to make it there soon.

Until next time, may you have good gravy.

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