Chivito (sandwich)


Chivito is the national dish of Uruguay, It is a thin slice of tender cooked beef steak, with mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise, black or green olives, and commonly also bacon, fried or hard-boiled eggs and ham, served as a sandwich in a bun, often accompanied by French fried potatoes. Other ingredients, such as red beets, peas, grilled or pan-fried red peppers, and slices of cucumber, may be added.
In Argentina a sandwich of this sort is called lomito, with chivito retaining its literal meaning of "kid meat".

Origin

Chivito is the diminutive of chivo, goat, and means kid. In neighbouring Argentina, chivito, barbecued kid, is a popular asado dish; it is reported that the Uruguayan chivito arose in Punta del Este, Uruguay, at a restaurant called "El Mejillón Bar" in 1946, when a woman from Argentina ordered a sandwich of chivito for a hurried meal, expecting kid. The restaurant owner, Antonio Carbonaro, did not have this meat, and used beef fillet steak instead.

Variations

The Canadian Chivito is a variation of the sandwich, with the addition of panceta.
The chivito can be served as a platter rather than a sandwich. It is usually served with Russian salad or French fries.

Maldonado, Uruguay

Maldonado, Uruguay holds a chivito party on a date close to Maldonado Day, October 19. Activities typically include food tasting, children's activities, and live music. and dance presentations.
The second party was held in Plaza San Fernando on October 19–21, 2012, and third on October 17–21, 2013.