For Australians, The Simple Salad Sandwich Comes With A Side Of Nostalgia

When a nostalgic sandwich comes to mind, it's often interlinked with simplicity. Perhaps it's a BLT or a PB&J — creations named for their modest components. The wonder of such dishes lies in their transformative qualities as they provide an experience greater than the sum of their parts, containing flavors that can transport. Nostalgic foods provide more than appetizing tastes; they help reinforce our identities. Biting into the same sandwich once crafted by a guardian gives us a glimpse back into our childhoods, and although we've changed, the foods haven't, and put us in touch with the part of ourselves that hasn't either.

For adults in Australia, this transportive food is the salad sandwich. Served at picnics, out of cafeterias, and during road trips, it's the right combination of simple, tasty, and comforting. Delivering a hefty dose of nostalgia for many Aussies, the sandwich remains a popular choice — and it's easy to see why. Let's dive into this delectable creation that is perfect for a quick lunch.

This unique creation from the land down under gathers a garden of vegetables between two slices of bread. Many Aussie eateries offer fresh takes on the classic recipe, but no component is more essential to the dish than beets. The bright red root is usually included in canned form, favored for its soft texture and sweet flavor. Whether mashed or cut into thick slices, it acts as a centerpiece filling, contrasting in color and taste against the other crisp, crunchy veggies.

Now to the structural component — sliced bread, white or sourdough, which is often covered with seeds. On top of which is usually a generous schmear of butter and sometimes mayo for extra moisture. The internal crunch comes from lettuce (preferably iceberg), shredded carrots (for additional color), cucumber, and some alfalfa sprouts for good measure. From here, it's all about the creator and individual preferences. What are some of its creative variations?

The ways in which folks deviate from or add to the classic components of the sandwich are abundant. Depending on the consumer's preferences, ingredients like tomatoes and eggs might appear. Cheese, especially gruyere or cheddar, is a popular component and a helpful way to separate the bread from the soggier ingredients. With Australia's fondness for avocados exploding in the last few decades, the creamy fruit is another welcome ingredient. When it comes to greens, iceberg lettuce is the dependable go-to, but anything on hand may get tossed in, like spinach. And some sandwich purveyors like to add extra tang with red onions or pickles. 

Chefs imbue their creativity into the sandwich, whether it's a walnut pesto, a vegan mushroom pâté, or a rendition stuffed with sweet potato fried. The coastal country has become a noted vegetarian dining destination, and this humble canvas is an ideal launching point for convenient meatless eating that's full of good flavor.

Like what a PB&J is to Americans, salad sandwiches started as no-frills creations that were free of any gourmet affiliations. They evoke childhood memories of home, cafeterias, roadside gas stations, and delis. The simple sandwiches are especially beloved when packed into a lunchbox for a day out and about.

Nowadays, several hip eateries have reinvented the dish. Plant-filled Picnic in Melbourne offers picture-perfect sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, dill, cucumber, and melted cheese — a version relatively faithful to the original. Meanwhile, South Dowling Sandwiches in Sydney mixes it up completely, offering a mouthwatering version with the classic beetroot, but also hummus, potato salad, caramelized carrots, grilled zucchini, lentils, and more.

Bread is increasingly becoming the point of emphasis for some salad sandwich makers. According to the Guardian, the always buzzing Kosta's Takeaway in Sydney used to serve the sandwich in focaccia-like schiacciata but has now transitioned to a ciabatta. Falco bakery in Melbourne neighborhood Collingwood also generates acclaim for their version, with a smashed boiled egg included alongside a vibrant salad mix in a perfectly-baked country loaf. While a seemingly simple dish, these renditions showcase how many delicious creations can be contained between two slices of bread.