Cuban Mix Sandwich (Cubano)

In a medium bowl (large enough to hold the pork roast), mix garlic with salt, pepper, citrus juice, onion, and oregano. Cover, and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, remove pork roast from fridge and pierce with a small paring knife to create a rough grid of holes about ¾ inch apart. Blend ¼ cup olive oil with the garliccitrus mixture. Reserve ½ cup of the mixture. Add the pork roast to the bowl with the garlic-citrus mixture. Turn the roast to coat it evenly, cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours, turning once halfway through.

Heat oven to 275°F. Remove pork from marinade, and drain. Heat remaining olive oil over high heat in a Dutch oven or ovensafe, heavy-bottomed pan with an ovensafe lid. Sear the pork on all sides. Once the roast is golden brown on all sides, turn off the heat, add the reserved garlic-citrus mixture, cover the Dutch oven, and place it in the oven. Cook for 4 hours, turning the roast halfway through the cooking time.

Remove the roast from the oven, and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Shred half for the sandwich, and save the rest for another meal. Meanwhile, heat a griddle or a large sauté pan over medium-low heat.

Split the loaf of bread in half horizontally. Layer half the cheese, ham, shredded roast pork, remaining grated cheese, and pickles on the bottom piece of bread. Spread yellow mustard on the top piece of bread, and close the sandwich.

Melt half the butter on a griddle or sauté pan. Place sandwich on the griddle, and weigh down with a foil-wrapped skillet or Dutch oven. Press the sandwich as it cooks. After about 5 minutes, check to see if the bread has turned golden brown, and if so, add remaining butter, flip the sandwich, press again, and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes.

Cut sandwich into 4 pieces, and serve while still hot.