Jesuita (sandwich) facts for kids
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| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Course | Appetizer, snack, or main |
| Region or state | South America |
| Main ingredients | Ham, cheese, puff pastry |
| Ingredients generally used | Sugar, egg white |
A jesuita (pronounced "heh-soo-EE-tah") or fosforito (pronounced "fohs-foh-REE-toh") is a delicious baked sandwich. People often eat them in parts of South America. They are a classic treat in Argentina. Imagine two layers of flaky puff pastry with thin slices of ham and cheese inside!
Contents
What Are Jesuitas and Fosforitos?
These tasty treats are a type of baked sandwich. In Uruguay, they are called jesuitas. In Argentina, they are known as fosforitos, which means "matchsticks". They are made with two pieces of light, airy puff pastry. Between these layers, you'll find yummy ham and cheese.
Where Did These Sandwiches Come From?
The idea for these sandwiches came from Europe. They were brought to Argentina a long time ago by early settlers. For many years, you could find them easily in Argentinian bakeries. Their popularity went down for a while. But around 2020, people started baking more at home. Also, professional chefs became interested in traditional dishes again. This made jesuitas and fosforitos popular once more!
How Are Jesuitas Made?
The puff pastry used for these sandwiches is often brushed with a sweet glaze. This glaze is made from sugar and egg white. It's a bit like the shiny icing you see on some cookies.
There are two main ways to make them:
- Some bakers put the raw pastry, ham, and cheese together. Then, they brush on the glaze and bake it. The pastry turns golden and crispy, and the cheese melts perfectly.
- Other bakers bake the puff pastry layers first. After the pastry is cooked, they fill it with the ham and cheese.
When and How to Enjoy Them
Jesuitas and fosforitos are usually small. This makes them perfect for parties or as a quick bite. You can also have them as an appetizer before a meal. They are great as a snack any time of day. Some people even eat them as a light meal. You can enjoy them warm or cold. They have a unique taste that is both sweet from the glaze and salty from the ham and cheese.
Other Pastries with Similar Names
It's interesting that other pastries around the world share a similar name!
- In Portugal, Spain, and parts of South America, there's a sweet pastry called a jesuit. This one is puff pastry filled with creamy custard.
- In Germany, there are "Jesuitermützen." These are custard-filled pastries cut into triangles.
- In France, a pastry called a jésuite is filled with a sweet almond cream called frangipane.
See also
- Ham and cheese sandwich
- List of sandwiches
