What can be more blandly delicious than sandwiches? There would be a few who would say burgers; others might swear by their katsu sando or chivito. It would be a rarity to find a country that does not partake in bread and fillings to stave off hunger. To wander around the world and see the various sandwiches is like traveling through the world itself.
There might exist the really basic ham sandwich, but in some places there usually is this hand-held treat with some of the best jamón in the world: Iberian ham from acorn-fed pigs. Thin slices of this ham lie on crusty bread, sometimes rubbed with olive oil or dripped with it. Fresh tomatoes and cheese might go above, but the ham is the star.
Though Venetians refined this well-packed lunch snack from Turin by filling small English-style triangular sandwiches of white bread with olives and tuna, soft eggs and greens, and heaps of crispy prosciutto with truffle.
There are several kinds of such street food, but the core of this one is grilled, seasoned meat cut off the rotisserie and stuffed into a soft pita bread, accompanied by tomatoes, onions, and parsley, maybe tahini sauce, and hot sauce as well.
The marinated briskets are then smoked and cut into chunks, which are then hand-sliced to make sandwiches. People who bite into this sandwich are in for a deliciously messy experience. Oysters that are fried and served in French bread with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. This sandwich from North Africa has a deep-fried yeast bun that is soft and a blend of tuna, potatoes, and boiled eggs in the center. Although it appears tiny, it is quite filling.
As part of the English tea meal, an order of scones and sweets would complement cucumber sandwiches, which are a traditional English snack. Finely cut cucumber slices are layered between soft, crustless white bread. Add a spread of butter, a sprinkle of fine black pepper, and a few pinches of fresh herbs like dill. Smoothed buttered edges are cut into neat triangular portions and served alongside tea. A chip butty is less elegant and more traditional. It is a sandwich made with buttered white bread and fries that squeeze themselves into the fluffy bread.
Ketchup, malt vinegar, and mayonnaise are all welcome additions. You don't need to worry about missing out on meat with this veggie main recipe from the Middle East. The falafel pita is exactly as the name suggests. Fried balls of falafel made from soaked chickpeas mixed with spices are placed in a soft, warm pita alongside some chili sauce or hummus, lettuce and tomatoes, and sharp tahini sauce. This sandwich is popular in places like Beirut and Amman, as well as other regions of the Middle East.
Seafood spots all over the US have them. But the best view is at a classic lobster shack from Maine to Connecticut. The view there is hard to top.