We’re hittin’ the road: New England

Happy and safe travels Jane! Can’t wait to hear all about the trip! 🙂

Don’t forget to get an Italian when you’re in Maine! We buy ours at “Amato’s”.
Here’s a link that perfectly describes the sandwiches (scroll down to “Italian Sandwiches):
http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/HoagieSubmarinePoBoy.htm

Here’s the actual article:
Italian Sandwiches

In a world of hoagies, heroes, grinders and submarines, Portland, Maine is known as the birthplace of the Italian sandwich. It is considered Maine’s signature sandwich. Simply known as “Italians” to the people living in Maine.

During the beginning of the 20th century, Italians were emigrating to New England in large numbers to lay paving stones on streets, extend railway lines, and work as longshoremen on the waterfront. Giovanni Amato, an Italian immigrant, started selling fresh baked rolls from a pushcart to his fellow Italian immigrants working on the docks of Portland, Maine. At the workers’ request, Giovanni added a little meat, cheese, and fresh vegetables, and the “Italian Sandwich” was born. Nobody knows the precise date of the first Italian Sandwich, but Amato’s sandwich historians say it had happened by 1903. By the 1920s, Amato had opened a sandwich shop on India Street. In the 1950s, people would line up outside the shop to get their Italians, and Amato’s would sell 5,000 sandwiches on Sundays.

Others may lay claim to inventing the Italian Sandwich, and there are now dozens of imitators selling them. Today, almost every corner grocery store in Southern Maine make their own version of this regional delight. According to most Italian Sandwich aficionados, the best Italian’s in Maine are ALWAYS made in little Mom & Pop grocery stores. And the size of the sandwich making area relative to the rest of the store is a very good indication of the quality of product.

The present day sandwich doesn’t include anything remotely Italian. Unlike most sandwiches, the Italian doesn’t have lettuce. Neither does it have mayo or mustard. Instead, it’s topped with salt and pepper, and a squirt of oil. The freshly baked buns are soft, not crunchy (the sour pickles and soft rolls are what makes the Italian Sandwich unique), and filled with veggies aplenty. The meat is ham or salami (boiled ham was introduced somewhere in the 1960’s and is as popular today as the original with salami), and American cheese. The sandwich is also a bit messy. The oil on the traditional Italian makes the sandwich a challenge to eat.

Roger Kirk, a former resident of Portland, Maine, who currently resides in Fremont, NH sent me information on the Italian Sandwich to include in this history. According to Roger: The sandwich is made with a one-foot-long soft roll (not the hard sub roll), sliced 2/3 of the way through lengthwise (like a hot dog roll) and pulled open for ingredient insertion. Wrapped in white waxed paper, the locals unwrap one end and eat directly from the wrap. As it is made today, it has:

American cheese slices
Boiled ham slices (originally was salami)
Onions (chopped)
Tomato Green pepper
Sour pickles (hand-sliced long and thin)
Black or Greek olive halves (typically 4 per sandwich)
Oil (mixed olive and vegetable oils)
Salt & pepper

Now I want to go to Maine and get an Italian! You just can’t get them anywhere else! Have fun!!!