A Haitian Twist on the Classic Cuban Sandwich: A Flavorful Journey...

Stephanie Blanc
Aug 3
4 min read

Updated: Sep 17

Bienvenue to my blog mini-series, titled "Miami Vices," where I showcase some fun delicious Miami-inspired cocktails and cuisine, based on my recent trip & love of Miami.

I hope you've been loving these recipe-filled blog posts, and if you haven't had a chance to read my previous ones, then please make sure to go back & check them out - Miami Vice Cocktail, Fried Sweet Plantain, Cuban Mojo Sauce, & Pikliz, Cuban Mojito Cocktail, & Piña Colada Cocktail. You'll be happy to know that, not only am I showcasing simple and delicious recipes, BUT I'm also sharing some cultural knowledge that I picked up on my trip, and while doing my own research as well.

In previous blog posts, I highlight the fact that Haitians, alongside Cubans, make up a large number of immigrants in Miami. So much so, that Haitians have their own neighborhood referred to as Little Haiti, just as the Cubans have their own neighborhood referred to as Little Havana. Now, I've been to Miami twice within the past 2 years and I tried to book a Little Haiti tour, but they were closed both times. But, I was able to do some research of my own…Basically, Little Haiti is a neighborhood in northern Miami & home to a large Haitian population. The neighborhood offers a unique mélange of authentic & expressive Haitian culture, cuisine, & art.

So, like their Cuban counterparts, Haitians have heavily influenced Miami culture in terms of overall cuisine. Now, one can't mention Miami cuisine without highlighting some of the more popular dishes like the Cuban sandwich, however I wanted to go ahead & take a different approach with this episode and use the Cuban sandwich as inspiration to do a Haitian twist to this type of sandwich. Make sure to screenshot the ingredients & follow along for my recipe. Watch me make it here!

Photo Credit: Purroy Productions

I really had fun thinking of what ingredients would be the Haitian style version to this sandwich, and so, I combined my ideas with some of my favorite ingredients & thus a star was born!

Now, there are several variations & versions of a Haitian sandwich, so I’m not the inventor, so don’t come for me, BUT I really did sit down & dissect the Cuban sandwich piece-by-piece and thought to myself…The Cuban sandwich has pork, and us Haitians eat griot, which is fried pork. It’s actually considered 1 of Haiti’s national delicacies & SO freakin good!

Now, I am not too big on eating pork these days, but I figured that I’d make an exception for you guys of course! Now another condiment you’ll find in many sandwiches in general is coleslaw, and I felt like our version would be pikliz; Next I thought sandwiches generally have mustard, so I figured I’d make a ketchup, mayo, & sweet honey mustard aioli.

Fun story, I recalled being made fun of in elementary school for my love of ketchup & mayo sandwiches and now I see it in stores. Here’s your reminder to NOT follow the crowd! Haha!! Next, I did a simple slice of gouda cheese cut in half since it melts nicely & has a nice consistency. Lastly, I thought doing an avocado spread would help to cut down on some of the acidity.

"Haitian Sandwich"

Ingredients

-French Baguette or Alternative Bread of Choice, such as, Ciabiatta

-Shredded Griot Chucks (I'm a kitchen novice, so I store-bought mine from a Haitian restaurant; Still need to learn to make this! Bear w/me Haha!!)

-Mashed Avocado for Bread Spread

-1-Halved Slice of Gouda Cheese

-2 Tbsp of Pikliz

-Caramelized Onions

-Mayo-Ketchup Aioli Sauce For Bread Spread (see recipe on how to make below)

"Mayo-Ketchup Aioli"

Ingredients

-2 Tbsp Mayo

-2 Tbsp Ketchup

-½ Tbsp Honey Mustard

-Sprinkle of Abodo Seasoning

-Dash of Garlic Powder

-Splash of Soy Sauce

"Yucca Fries"

Ingredients

-Few Yucca Roots

-1 Tbsp Avocado Oil

-Sprinkle of Salt

-Sprinkle of Pepper

-Sprinkle of Truffle Seasoning

I topped it all with caramelized onions cause DUH!! Et voila you got a Haitian-inspired sandwich! I opted to pair it with yucca fries instead of french fries to keep a theme going.

And, what’s a Haitian sandwich without setting it off with the 1 & only Cola La Caye soda pop. Now I don’t drink soda, but again, I’ll make an exception for y’all this time.

Ahhh..!!! Guys this brings back so much nostalgia for me. I am have flashbacks of seeing the bottle of Cola La Caye in my grandparents fridge.

Directions for Haitian Sandwich

Step 1 - Slice bread & layer ingredients
Step 2 - Layer 1 bread slice with the griot, then gouda cheese; then pikliz; then aioli; then spread the avocado and bread top

Directions for Mayo-Ketchup

Combine ingredients & whisk together until you reach a texturized liquid-sauce consistency.

Directions for Yucca Fries

Step 1 - Cut the ends & peel the skin.
Step 2 - Cut them into thick straight-cut fries & bring them to a boil, sprinkling some salt in the water.
Step 3 - Remove them from the boil & pat dry with paper towel.
Step 4 - Drizzle oil in frying pan & let heat up; Then fry the yucca fries 2-3 minutes on each side OR throw them into an air fryer.
Step 5 - Sprinkle some salt, pepper, & truffle seasoning.
Step 6 - Enjoy!