National Sandwich Month

It’s National Sandwich Month! Let’s Celebrate With…Sandwiches!

Oh, the sandwich. That age-old classic. Two (or more) slices of bread, with some tasty filling in the middle. It’s the perfect meal for any time of day, any time of year. And did you know that every month is National Sandwich Month? Well, it is! In honor of this most hallowed of months, let’s take a look at some surprising sandwich facts.

What Is a Sandwich?

The definition of a sandwich is pretty simple: “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between,” according to Merriam-Webster. But where did this humble meal get its start? The first recorded use of the word “sandwich” was in 1762, when Edward Gibbon wrote in his diary that he had eaten “a sort of Dish in extremely thin slices, called Sandwiches.” Legend has it that the sandwich was named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who was said to have been too busy gambling to sit down for a proper meal.

How Many Kinds of Sandwiches Are There?

There are basically two types of sandwiches: open-faced and closed-faced. An open-faced sandwich is one where only one slice of bread is used, with the toppings and fillings piled on top. A closed-faced sandwich uses two slices of bread, with the fillings sandwiched between them. From there, the possibilities are endless!

Some common sandwiches include:

• ThePB&J: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are probably the most iconic sandwiches around. They’re perfect for kids’ lunchboxes (and adults’ lunchboxes, too!)
• The Club Sandwich: A club sandwich usually has three layers of toast with two layers of meat (usually turkey or chicken), bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
• The BLT: A BLT is made with bacon, lettuce, and tomato on white toast—simple but delicious!
• Grilled Cheese: A grilled cheese is made by buttering one side of two pieces of bread and then adding cheese to one piece before placing the two pieces together and grilling them until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Yum!

Any time is a good time for a sandwich! They make great quick lunches, picnic fare, or even light dinners. What’s your favorite type of sandwich?