Welcome to JayPo’s Penalty Boxed Lunch, where we explore food from around the country! This week’s 33rd official entry is for those folks who like a little sweet with their savory. New Hampshire claims this sandwich as their own, but no one likes New Hampshire, man (Kudos if you get the reference).
Food History!
A diner favorite wherever you go, a Monte Cristo is simply a bastardized version of the French croque monsieur. It is an egg dipped bread (think French Toast) with ham and cheese, which is then usually pan or deep fried until done. Is it done there? NO! You top it with maple syrup of course. I’ve seen some add powdered sugar, but man that is just WAY too far. This sandwich, to my knowledge, didn’t even originate in New Hampshire. It supposedly rose to fame in California and made famous by a restaurant in Disneyland. Fun, huh?
How I Made It!
I didn’t make a “traditional” Monte Cristo. I decided to double-decker it with both honey turkey AND honey maple ham. I made sure to include plenty of swiss cheese and topped it with REAL maple syrup. (Confession, I grew up with fake maple syrup and still kinda prefer that…JUDGE ME ALL YOU WANT). The sandwich is fine, but just too overly sweet for my liking. As noted in the tweet, Vermont’s “Vermonter” sandwich is far superior.
What Does A Local Think?
Guess what, we don’t have a local. Hard to believe that I couldn’t find a single New Hampshirer to judge my culinary skills. Want to judge my culinary skills and have lived in (even if briefly): Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, Wyoming…hit me up on Twitter!! You’ll be featured in here and forever immortalized (and forever in your debt). I did find an article disputing that this sandwich is NH’s signature sandwich, so if sandwich drama is your thing, enjoy!!
