Exploring Maine Cuisine

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Maine Italian Sandwich

The Maine Italian sandwich (also called an Amato's Italian[1], after its namesake, or simply an Italian) is a submarine sandwich in Italian-American cuisine. The Maine Italian sandwich was invented in Portland, Maine. It is similar to, but distinct from, other types of sandwiches called "Italians" and is closely associated with the Amato's sandwich shop chain, though it is found widely throughout the state. The sandwich is named for the Italian-American community in Portland and not for its ingredients. Italian sandwiches have been referred to as "a part of people's lives" in Maine.

Giovanni Amato, a grocer in Portland, Maine, claims to have invented the "Italian sandwich" in 1902. While selling bread on his street cart, Amato received requests from dockworkers to slice his long bread rolls and add sliced meat, cheese and vegetables to them. Amato later opened a sandwich shop named Amato's, and today the sandwich continues to be prepared by Amato's sandwich shops. The Amato's version is traditionally prepared using fresh-baked bread, ham, American cheese, slices of tomato, onions, green pepper and sour pickle, Kalamata olives and salad oil

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Italian_sandwich