The Tomato Sandwich:
A Southern Classic

Some even say, “Eating tomato sandwiches in the summer is the reason I started tomato seeds inside last winter and why I’ve spent weeks nursing along my tomato plants in the garden.” In fact, there are several controversies that arise whenever aficionados discuss this favorite (see below).

Here’s one way to make this “Official Summer Sandwich of the South.”

What you need

• homegrown, ripe, slicing tomato
• 2 slices of bread
• real mayonnaise
• salt and pepper

What to do

1. Slice tomatoes (see controversies #1 and #2 below)
2. Lay two slices of bread on a plate (see controversy #3 below)
3. Spread mayonnaise liberally on each slice of bread (see controversy #4 below)
4. Place tomatoes on one prepared bread slice
5. Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper (to taste)
6. Place second slice of bread, mayonnaise side down, on top of tomato layer.
7. Enjoy your sandwich. Wet sandwich dripping on the plate is traditional.

Special note

Variations

• Layer thinly-sliced cucumbers and lettuce leaves on top of tomatoes before placing second slice of bread on top to complete sandwich.
• Make a traditional BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich). Be sure to use real bacon, fried crisply, and placed on the bread while still sizzling.

Tomato sandwich controversies

Controversy #2: Tomato slice thickness
Should you use ½” slices? Or slice tomatoes thinly and layer them over the bread? Thicker slices mean a juicier sandwich, but they must be cut and pieced together to cover the bread (unless you’ve grown some super jumbo beefsteak tomatoes that, when sliced, cover a piece of bread on their own). Thinly sliced tomatoes can easily be layered to cover the bread.

Controversy #3: Bread type
The original sandwich, traditionalists say, is made with white bread. It is never toasted. Use whole wheat only if you must.

Controversy #4: Mayonnaise
Brand? True southerners swear by Blue Plate (slightly sweeter) or Duke’s Mayonnaise – with a nod to Blue Plate. Light or nonfat mayo? Out of the question. Spread? Don’t try to go thin.

Have a tomato sandwich tip or preference?

Do you have a special tip or preference you use when you make a tomato sandwich? Share it with Tomato Dirt readers!

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Return from Tomato Sandwich to Tomato Dirt home

New! Comments