10 Global Variations of the Sandwich

6) Panini

Known as a panino in Italy, where this now mainstream sandwich originated, it satisfies any craving with crunchy-on-the-outside/soft-in-the-middle bread, melted cheese and anything else that happens to be squished in between. Common fillings include any Italian cured meats and cheeses.

Interesting fact: the actual word used to label the sandwich in America is often misused, as “panini” is plural for the Italian word for a singular sandwich, “panino”. If referring to more than one, the word becomes even more butchered when an “s” is added (paninis), creating an entirely new and non-existent word (in Italy anyway).

7) Cucumber sandwiches

​One of the more refined and oft-parodied sandwiches on the list, the British invention is usually served at tea time on crustless, thinly sliced bread. Apparently, thin is in when it comes to this snack, as the bread should be sliced thin enough to see daylight through each piece and the cucumbers thin enough to read newspaper print. After perfecting your knife skills, butter the bread and place cucumber slices in between, and have your butler bring in the tea.

8) Bunny Chow

A funny name for a South African tradition, contrary to the label, does not contain bunny. It’s a hollowed out loaf of bread stuffed with curry; lamb, chicken or bean. It’s ordered by the quarter, half or full loaf and served with a salad of carrots, chili and onion.

9) Croque Monsieur

​Leave it to the French to take a ham and cheese sandwich and prop it up on a higher shelf of culinary existence. The cheese used is almost always gruyere or emmental, both similar to Swiss in taste. The gooey, buttery sandwiches are grilled and sometimes topped with a rich béchamel or mornay sauce. A version called the Croque Madame is topped with a poached or fried egg.

10) Vegemite

Conjuring up tunes by Men at Work and visions of a vast dry land in the Outback, this iconic Australian condiment is the basis for a common staple in casual dining down under. A yeast extract (sounds delicious, right?) first appearing on the market in 1923, it was originally marketed as a health food for children in World War II. A traditional Vegemite sandwich is on buttered toast with cheese and lettuce.