Cudighi Sandwich Recipe
Cudighi Sandwich Recipe for spice lovers—pork patties with garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, mozzarella, grilled onions, and marinara on toasted Italian rolls.
Equipment
- Large skillet or cast-iron pan
- Spatula
- Cutting board
- Sharp chef knife
- Saucepan (for the sauce)
- Tongs
- Baking tray (optional for keeping patties warm)
- Cheese grater (if not using sliced cheese)
Ingredients
For the Cudighi Patty:
- 1 lb ground pork choose 80-85% lean for juicy patties
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper more if you like spicy
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
For the Sauce:
- 1 1/4 cup tomato sauce or marinara
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 tsp sugar just a pinch of sweetness
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
For the Sandwich Assembly:
- 2-3 hoagie rolls or Italian sub buns
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced thin
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or provolone slices
- 2 tbsp butter for toasting
- Fresh basil optional
Instructions
Make the Cudighi mix
- Mix pork, garlic, and all spices until combined. Don’t overwork it—just mix it like you're folding laundry: gentle and efficient.
Shape the patties
- Flatten into oval or round patties about 1/2 inch thick. They should match the size of your bread.
Cook the patties
- Heat skillet over medium-high. Cook patties 4-5 minutes per side until brown and slightly crusty. These should look like they mean business.
Keep warm
- Place on a tray and tent with foil while you finish the rest.
Make the sauce
- Heat olive oil. Add garlic. Pour tomato sauce, sugar, seasoning, and salt. Let it simmer 8-10 minutes.
Cook the onions
- In the same pan, lower the heat, add onions, and cook until soft and slightly golden.
Toast the bread
- Spread butter and grill until crisp.
Assemble
- Patty goes in first. Onions next. Sauce drizzled generously. Cheese is added as a final blessing. Close the bun. Eat immediately.