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What Is The Chopped Sandwich Trend?
Once again, we’re compromising sandwich integrity for virality: TikTok cooks are producing chopped sandwiches and slicing them way too much, resulting in fillings that are somewhere between “egg salad” and “pre-chewed” in texture. I’ll pass, thank you!
The very-chopped sandwich craze emerged online relatively recently, coinciding with the chopped grinder sandwiches that were popular last spring and summer. Videos of chopped sandwiches receive millions of views on the internet, and the craze has spread to other types of chopped sandwiches. Last spring, author Lirim Gula launched a series that he described as “a journey to piss every nation off through the form of chopped sandwiches.”
Hoagies and, more recently, bagels have not been spared. One example of the latter, a heavily chopped blend of cream cheese and lox, inspired my colleague Jaya Saxena to point out that it already exists: lox spread.
In real life, the tendency is not new: the Brooklyn corner store the Farmer in the Deli has long been known for its chopped sandwiches that go beyond the city’s traditional chopped cheese.
TikTok’s Newest Trend!
@marcus.costanzo This Chopped Sandwich was WAY better than expected 🤣🥪 More on IG @marcus.costanzo #choppedsandwich #sandwichasmr #foodasmr #foodcreator ♬ original sound – Marcus Costanzo
TikTok is the place to be for food trends, and the chopped sandwich is still a big hit. In a TikTok video made in commemoration of the trend, a content producer is seen putting lettuce, deli meats, vegetables, and cheese on a cutting board.They vigorously chop the ingredients using a butcher knife, then add mayo, olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings, followed by additional chopping. This veritable jumble of a sandwich filling is eventually portioned into a hoagie bread and devoured.
Despite their popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms, sliced sandwiches do not appeal to everyone. One individual refers to the sandwich as “pre-chewed,” while another asks, “Can’t I just put all that stuff on my bread and chop it with my teeth when I eat it?” Many of the users who appear to be happy about the sandwich point out that slicing up the ingredients allows you to enjoy them all in one bite, which is not always the case with normal deli sandwiches.
Potential sources for the chopped sandwich
The origins of TikTok’s sliced sandwich are shrouded in mystery, as are most cuisine trends. The popular recipe resembles the chopped cheese sandwich, which originated at the Blue Sky Deli in Harlem. The chopped cheese recipe uses cooked ground beef instead of deli meats and includes cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. It should be emphasized that just the ground beef and cheese are chopped in this dish, and the vegetables are layered on top of the meaty, melty mixture.
Moving farther down the food origins chain, it appears that the chopped cheese was inspired by dagha yamneeya, an Arabic sandwich.Dagha yamneeya combines cooked meat and veggies, eaten atop Yemeni flatbread. While all three sandwiches share many similarities, there is no way to tell if this is more than a coincidence. However, there are an increasing number of variations for TikTok’s chopped deli version.
Tips on making your own chopped masterpiece
One of the best parts about this viral TikTok sandwich is its adaptability. The dish includes classic Italian sub-style components such as salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, olive oil, Italian bread, and Italian spice. However, you are free to substitute any of these ingredients with various types of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. A TikTok user highlighted mortadella, pistachio pesto, mozzarella, and Calabrian chili paste.
Then there’s the issue of when to chop the components. Some people propose chopping in phases, while others suggest piling on all of the meats, cheeses, vegetables, wet components, and seasonings before you begin cutting. Furthermore, you don’t have to put your chopped components in a sandwich; the recipe also works well as a dip or spread on crackers or pita chips. While the sandwich can be messy and requires more effort than just adding sandwich ingredients to bread, it has undoubtedly piqued the interest of TikTok’s avid foodies. Has it captivated yours?
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