R.I. HOT OVEN GRINDER

R.I. Hot Oven Grinder image

"Grinder," pronounced "grahyn-dah" by native Rhode Islanders, is Italian-American slang for dock worker. Aptly named, it took a lot of chewing or grinding to eat the hard crusted bread used to make the sandwich. Lore has it, the grinder was invented by Giovanni Amato, an Italian baker, who came up with a portable inexpensive...

Provided by star pooley

Number Of Ingredients 9

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Ingredients

-- crusty bread - preferably a loaf of italian bread cut in half; optional - oblong torpedo roll
-- olive oil
-- red wine vinegar
-- seasoning (optional): black pepper, crushed red pepper, or oregano
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 tomato, thinly sliced
-- veggies - lettuce, shredded or torn; instead - thinly sliced green or red pepper rings or hot pepperoncinis
-- variety - 2 -3 slices each of at least three italian cold cuts: genoa salami, mortadella, sliced pepperoni, capicola, or prosciutto
4-5 slice provolone cheese

Steps:

1. Cut loaf of Italian bread in half; slice through sandwich half - lengthwise, deep enough to open and fill with ingredients.
2. On one side of bread - layer onion slices, tomato slices, lettuce, pepper rings, or pepperoncinis.
3. Spread Italian meats and cheese, overlapping.
4. Generously drizzle olive oil and add a few splashes of red wine vinegar. Add seasoning if you wish.
5. Press sides of bread together and voila!
6. Rhode Islanders often leave the sandwich open and place it in the oven until the cheese melts - let the temperature rise to 350 degrees.
7. NOTE: After WWII, as Italian food grew in popularity in the United States and many cultures became assimilated, the use of other meats and cheeses infiltrated the grinder - turkey, roast beef, American and Swiss cheese. Even mayonnaise and mustard elbowed their way in. With the advent of chain restaurants, all sorts of grinders can be had and named for the type of bread used - baguette, ciabatta, barra, foccacia. In Rhode Island, the Italian grinder has hit the sauce big time: meatball, chicken parm, and eggplant grinders abound.

*** Explore more R.I. Hot Oven Grinder Recipes »

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Trenton Frala

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This recipe is a winner. The grinders were crispy and the filling was flavorful and cheesy. I will definitely be making these again.

abdul qadir khan

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Delicious!

Ameria Winters

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These grinders were a hit with my family. They were easy to make and the flavor was amazing. I will definitely be making these again.

Charles Selaelo

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Easy peasy!

Jessika Mann

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I was skeptical about this recipe at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. The grinders were delicious and easy to make. I will definitely be making these again.

Md Arsad

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Yum!

Martin Shikemeni

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This recipe is a keeper. I have made it several times and it always turns out perfectly. The grinders are always crispy and the filling is always flavorful and cheesy. I highly recommend this recipe.

Maie Phillips

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5 stars!

Megan Daniel

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I made these grinders for my family and they were a huge success. The bread was crispy and the filling was flavorful and cheesy. I will definitely be making these again.