Tomato sandwich

Sandwich of tomatoes between slices of bread
An open-faced tomato sandwich seasoned with salt and pepper atop the tomato

A tomato sandwich is a dish closely associated with the cuisine of the American south. Recipes typically call for in-season ripe-to-overripe tomatoes, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper on soft commercial white bread. It is generally expected to be messy to eat.

Cuisine and origins

According to Tasting Table, the Virginia Chronicle is "widely credited" with the first mention of the sandwich in 1911.[1]

The tomato sandwich is associated with the cuisine of the American South and according to Yahoo News is considered an important part of the cuisine.[2][3] According to Chuck Reece, editor of Georgia Public Radio's Salvation South, the tomato sandwich is "one thing—one perfect thing—about which every Southerner can agree".[4] The New York Times called it "the sandwich southerners wait for all year".[5]

Outside of the south the tomato sandwich is not well-known and is sometimes mocked; Seattle food writer Geraldine DeRuiter caused a stir when she opined that "a 'tomato sandwich' is not a sandwich. You just don't have the ingredients to make a BLT".[3][6] North Carolina YouTuber SouthernASMR posted a video of herself making and eating a tomato sandwich and was widely mocked by "plenty of...non-southerners", some calling the sandwich "gross", according to the New York Times.[5] Southern Living writer Rick Bragg said a common reaction from those outside the south when hearing of the sandwich was "yuck".[7]

Ingredients

The Southern-style sandwich is made with soft white bread, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.[8][7] According to Southern Living, this "basic formula...produces a Southern ideal" and a "true taste of summer in the South".[8]

The sandwich is ideally made with a fresh ripe-to-overripe tomato from a home garden or farmers' market; according to Southern Living, Serious Eats, and Bitter Southerner, a commercially-grown supermarket tomato, which may have been picked unripe and stored refrigerated, "typically lacks the same level of juiciness, sweetness, and flavor complexity".[8][2][9] Because of the seasonal nature of home-grown and locally-grown tomatoes, the sandwich is commonly associated with summer.[10]

The bread most commonly called-for is an untoasted soft commercial white sandwich bread such as Sunbeam, Sara Lee or Wonder Bread.[9][8][11] Some recipes call for soft artisan-style breads such as brioche or Japanese milk bread.[12]

Friendly tongue-in-cheek arguments over the exact choices of mayonnaise or bread are common among southerners. According to Chuck Reece of Georgia Public Radio's Salvation South, among southerners who prefer Duke's or Blue Plate mayonnaise, the preference has been likened to "a battle".[9][4][1] Some sandwich makers prefer Hellman's, but according to Reece, "Under no circumstances should you use Hellmann’s. It originated in New York City."[4][5] A Georgia magazine instructed sandwich makers that "The Official Recipe" called for "two slices of white bread (“Not toasted. Fresh, so it sticks to the back of your teeth”); a homegrown vine-ripe tomato (“Not peeled. Juicy so you have to hold it over the sink”); black pepper and salt; and “a sizable portion” of mayonnaise (“Not Miracle Whip”)'.[5][1]

Variations from the classic combination commonly appear in media as tomato season approaches; such tomato sandwich recipes, which typically come from outside the south, may call for additional ingredients such as onion, basil, parsley, anchovies, cheese or other ingredients; for a whole-grain bread or artisan roll, sometimes toasted; to be served open-faced; or for the use of sun-dried tomatoes in the mayonnaise.[13][14][15][16][5] Lisa Curran Matte of Tasting Table argues that "Some summer foods are so perfect in their simplest form, it would be bordering on travesty to even think about adding a touch of this or a pinch of that in the name of elevating a classic."[1]

Preparation and serving

The sandwich is assembled and, according to some recipes, ideally allowed to sit for several minutes in order to allow the salt to release some of the juices into the bread.[8][7] Enthusiasts often recommend eating it over the kitchen sink due to its messiness and even call out that level of messiness as the hallmark of an excellent tomato sandwich.[9][11][8][5]

Events

Alabama has held an annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch since 2001.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Matte, Lisa Curran (2023-07-31). "In The South, There's An Art To Making The Perfect Tomato Sandwich". Tasting Table. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  2. ^ a b Gritzer, Daniel (13 March 2024). "Classic Tomato Sandwich". Serious Eats. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  3. ^ a b Romero, Gabby (2022-08-02). "Tomato Sandwiches Are At The Center Of A Controversial Twitter Debate". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  4. ^ a b c Reece, Chuck (2024-04-26). "One Perfect Thing: The Tomato Sandwich". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Kim, Eric (2023-07-19). "The Sandwich Southerners Wait for All Year". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  6. ^ Schlosser, Kurt (16 January 2018). "Seattle writer who wrote viral cinnamon roll post is 'tired and paranoid' after being hacked on Twitter". Geekwire.
  7. ^ a b c Bragg, Rick (7 May 2023). "Rick Bragg Sets The Record Straight On What Makes The Best Tomato Sandwich". Southern Living. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Pittman, Ann Taylor (13 June 2024). "Southern Tomato Sandwich". Southern Living. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  9. ^ a b c d Reece, Chuck (2017-07-24). "How to Make and Eat a Tomato Sandwich". The Bitter Southerner. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  10. ^ Hulsman, Matt (9 July 2014). "Update a Classic: Tomato Sandwich". Our State. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  11. ^ a b Thompson, Julie P. (1 August 2014). "The Secret To Making The Best Tomato Sandwich In The World". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  12. ^ Kim, Eric (12 October 2023). "Furikake Tomato Sandwich Recipe". NYT Cooking. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  13. ^ "Open-Faced Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich". Marthastewart.com. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  14. ^ David Tanis (3 August 2011). "Tomato Salad on a Roll". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  15. ^ Paula Deen. "Tomato Sandwich with Parsley or Basil". pauladeen.com. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  16. ^ Stubbs, Merrill (4 October 2022). "My Best Tomato Sandwich Recipe on Food52". Food52. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  17. ^ Johnson, Gracie (2024-06-26). "Alabama's Tomato Sandwich Lunch highlights local farms and market growth". WBMA. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
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