🥪 The Cuban Sandwich’s Secret Ingredient: What Is a Croqueta Preparada?
Take everything you love about a Cuban sandwich — the ham, the roast pork, the Swiss cheese, the mustard, the pickles — and add one surprising little twist: a croquette. That’s right. Golden, creamy, and deep-fried to perfection, a ham croquette (croqueta) turns a great sandwich into an unforgettable one.
🧠 Wait… What’s a Croqueta Preparada?
Let’s break it down.
– “Preparada” just means “prepared” — in this case, with extra deliciousness.
– A croqueta preparada is a Cuban sandwich that’s been upgraded with one or more ham croquettes, smashed right into the bread along with the rest of the fixings.
It’s crunchy. It’s creamy. It’s over-the-top in the best possible way.
🏝️ Born in Miami, Beloved Everywhere
The croqueta preparada is a Miami-born invention — the natural result of a city where croquettes are a daily snack, and Cuban sandwiches are a way of life. Over time, it’s become a signature of local bakeries and cafeterias. Some places even compete over who stacks it best (two croquettes or three? Smashed or whole?).
Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or a 2 a.m. craving, one thing’s for sure — you’ll never go back once you try it this way.
🐷 Why Ham Croquettes?
Because it’s tradition!
Catalina’s ham croquettes are legendary for a reason — rich with real ham, creamy inside, and perfectly seasoned. When you press one into a Cuban sandwich, it melts into the meats like it was always meant to be there.
Some spots experiment with chicken or cheese croquettes, but for the real deal? It’s ham all the way.
🧀 Make Your Own at Home
Want to try it yourself? Here’s the fast track:
- Pick up a pack of Catalina Ham Croquettes (look in the freezer aisle at your favorite South Florida market).
- Fry until golden brown.
- Stack a Cuban sandwich like usual — ham, roast pork, Swiss, pickles, mustard.
- Smash a croquette (or two) into the mix.
- Press and grill. Then devour.
💬 Tell Us How You Do It
Do you add just one croquette or go big with three? Cheese on top or on bottom?
Tag @CatalinaFoods on Instagram with your croqueta preparada and we might feature your masterpiece!
