Everything Hot and Melty You Can Put in a Sub
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Unless you’re lounging on a beach in Hawaii right now, chances are you’re fah-reezing. We’ve got just the thing for you—hot and melty submarine sandwiches to warm you from the inside out.
"It’s all about comfort food," said Jerry Virtuoso, the owner of Lorimer Market, a popular Italian deli in Brooklyn. Virtuoso, who speaks in thick Brooklynese, has already received a number of orders for hot, three-foot subs for Super Bowl Sunday. Apparently, everyone is on the same page about the virtues of hot, melty subs.
"That’s what hits home, when you get a nice hot sandwich and it’s a cold day," he said. "It’s dear to the heart." And dear to the stomach, too. Here are some expert combos best served hot, according to Virtuoso.
1. Hanger steak + hot cherry peppers + provolone
You’ve got all your basic food groups covered. Meat, vegetables, and cheese. Boom.
2. Fried chicken cutlet + smoked mozzarella + roasted red peppers + pesto + balsamic vinegar
Stuffing something that’s already been breaded and fried into a roll is maybe overkill, but it’s overkill you deserve. It’s cold outside! (That’s a rock-solid rationale. Don’t you dare quibble with us.)
3. Beef meatballs + mozzarella + marinara sauce
This classic combo is a classic for a reason. Meatballs, marinara, and mozzarella will never let you down.
4. Grilled veggies + ricotta salata
There. Vegetables. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?! (OK, we admit it, this combo is frickin’ divine.)
5. Grilled eggplant + mozzarella + marinara sauce
The principle in #3 applies here, too. Once a classic, always a classic.
6. Roast beef + provolone + caramelized onions
Pro tip: caramelize a huge batch of onions and keep them in your fridge for a few days. You’ll always find a use for them, as in this sub.
7. Italian sausage + broccoli rabe + provolone
The zingier the sausage, the better. Wake those cold bones up! All the better to cheer for your team.
Need step-by-step instructions? Browse all our sandwich recipes.
