Croquette Sandwich (Croqueta Preparada)

This mouthwatering sandwich is a MUST HAVE. Buttery toasted Cuban bread stacked with crispy ham croquettes (croquetas de jamón), swiss cheese, pickles, and smoked ham slices. What more could one ask for in a sandwich!?

What is a Ham Croquette (Croqueta De Jamón)? 

A croquette (croqueta) is a small finger length breadcrumb fried food roll that usually consists of minced ham, ground meat, or fish as its main ingredient. This delicious roux filling is either shaped into a cylinder or an oval shape. Then, it is rolled into seasoned breadcrumbs before being fried. However, the croquette (croqueta) roux filling is made differently in various parts of the world.

But what are we exactly making in this recipe? Our recipe follows how it is made in the Caribbean Islands. Even more, the Cuban croqueta preparada version. Croquette (croquetas) are found everywhere in the Caribbean Islands, and also parts of South Florida where they’re many Cuban bakeries. This small fried finger food is perfect for any occasion and any time of the day. Especially, when you are on-the-go and need something quick to eat!

These little golden delights require patience while making them. If you don’t have the patience, you can find the Goya frozen version at your local grocery store. But, fresh is always best!

How To Make Ham Croquettes (Croquetas De Jamón) Recipe?

These are VERY easy to make. However, –patience– is key. The Cuban croqueta filling takes up much of the prepping time because it requires some hours to chill inside the refrigerator. Usually, we store the ham roux filling inside the refrigerator overnight. But, two to three hours will do just fine. We also like to replace the chopped parsley with chopped cilantro. In our opinion, cilantro is usually a better herb to use instead of parsley in our recipes. Same goes for the flour. We used wheat flour for personal preference but all purpose flour can be substituted. Speaking of, the filling is made by a process of cooking equal parts of butter and flour together. This is called a “roux” and is used to produce a thickened base.

How To Make A Ham Croquette Sandwich (Croqueta Preparada)? 

Finally what you’ve come here for. This amazing sandwich!! Now that we went over the basics of the croqueta recipe, this is how we prepare our sandwich. First, this recipe calls for similar ingredients of a traditional Cuban sandwich. But, this is not a Cuban sandwich. So some of these ingredients can be substituted if you are not keen to the traditional Cuban sandwich.

We prepare the sandwich by spreading mustard on one side of the bread, then in order the pickles – swiss cheese – smoked ham – ham croquetas. Lastly, grill and flatten the sandwich just like you would with a traditional Cuban sandwich. Be careful not to burn both sides of the sandwich or flatten the croquetas too much.

You will have extra Cuban ham croquetas to use as a side for your sandwich. You may use this recipe without the additional sandwich ingredients to make croqueta sides for any lunch or dinner dish. Two great recipes that would go great with croquetas are tostones and our jibarito sandwich dishes.

Croquette Sandwich (Croqueta Preparada)

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Caribbean, Cuban

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Chilling Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4 people

This mouthwatering sandwich is a MUST HAVE. Buttery toasted Cuban bread stacked with crispy ham croquettes (croquetas de jamón), swiss cheese, pickles, and smoked ham slices. What more could one ask for in a sandwich!?

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Ingredients

Croqueta Filling

• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
• 2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup wheat flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic ground
• 1 tbsp parsley finely chopped
• 1 cup smoked ham finely chopped
• vegetable oil for frying

Sandwich

• 1 loaf cuban bread
• 1 lb ham sliced
• 1/2 lb swiss cheese sliced
• dill pickle chips
• mustard

Instructions

1. Begin by bringing a medium sized pan to medium heat. Melt the butter inside the pan and add olive oil. Once the oil begins to smoke, toss in your finely chopped onion and sauté. 

2. Slowly add in 1/2 cup wheat flour to create a paste. Next, season with salt, pepper, and your ground garlic. Gradually whisk in your milk and mix until texture is thickened. 

3. After the base is thickened, stir in your chopped parsley and ham. Turn off heat and place the filling into a sealed container. Refrigerate the croquette (croqueta) filling for at least 2 hours. 

4. Prepare an egg wash by whisking the eggs with a tablespoon of water in a bowl. Place breadcrumbs in a separate bowl or plate with 1/4 cup of the remaining flour. Bring vegetable oil inside of a pan to medium heat. The oil level should cover half of the croqueta log. 

5. Take your ham croquette (croqueta) filling out of the refrigerator and shape individual croquette (croqueta) logs. They should be at most 3 inches long. Dip ham croquette (croqueta) logs into the egg wash then into breadcrumbs. Repeat egg wash and breadcrumbs dip one more time then place into frying pan. 

6. Fry the croquettes (croquetas) making sure it is golden on all around. Then, place fried croquettes (croquetas) inside a paper laced bowl or wire rack to soak excess oil. Lastly, prepare a sandwich by placing in order - mustard, pickles, cheese, ham, and croquetas. Bring griddle or pan to low-medium heat with butter. Flatten sandwich with a separate skillet or bacon press and toast each side.