Chivito (sandwich) facts for kids
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| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |  Uruguay |
| Created by | Antonio Carbonara |
| Main ingredients | Bun, churrasco beef, bacon, fried or hard-boiled eggs, ham, black or green olives, mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise |
The Chivito is a super popular sandwich from Uruguay. It's actually the national dish of Uruguay! Imagine a soft bun filled with a thin, tender slice of cooked beefsteak, called churrasco.
But that's not all! A Chivito also has yummy mozzarella cheese, tasty ham, fresh tomato slices, creamy mayonnaise, and black or green olives. Many times, it also comes with crispy bacon and a fried or hard-boiled egg. This amazing sandwich is often served with a side of golden French fries. Sometimes, other ingredients like red beets, peas, or grilled peppers are added too.
In a nearby country, Argentina, a similar sandwich is called a lomito.
How the Chivito Sandwich Started
The word Chivito means "little goat" in Spanish. This is because chivo means goat. In Argentina, chivito is a popular dish of barbecued young goat meat.
The story of the Uruguayan Chivito sandwich began in 1946. It happened in a town called Punta del Este in Uruguay. There was a restaurant named "El Mejillón Bar". The owner was a man named Antonio Carbonaro.
One day, a woman from Argentina came into his restaurant. She was in a hurry and asked for a chivito sandwich. She expected a sandwich made with goat meat. But Antonio Carbonaro didn't have any goat meat! So, he quickly used a slice of beef fillet steak instead. He added other ingredients he had, and that's how the famous Chivito sandwich was born!
Different Kinds of Chivito
There are a few fun ways to enjoy a Chivito:
- Canadian Chivito: This version of the sandwich has an extra ingredient called panceta, which is a type of Italian bacon.
- Chivito on a Plate: Sometimes, the Chivito isn't served as a sandwich in a bun. Instead, all the delicious ingredients are placed on a plate. This is called chivito al plato. It usually comes with a side of Russian salad or, of course, French fries.
See also
In Spanish: Chivito para niños
