Alternative names | Continental Roll |
---|---|
Type | Sandwich |
Course | Main course |
Place of origin | Perth, Western Australia |
Associated cuisine | Italian cuisine |
Serving temperature | Cold |
Main ingredients | Mixed meat and cheese, salami, roasted vegetables, red peppers, bun |
The conti roll, or continental roll is a sandwich popular in Perth, Western Australia. [1] [2] [3] [4]
The sandwich consists of a long, crusty bread roll filled with meats, cheese, and preserved vegetables. [1] Another description, courtesy of The Bell Tower Times is 'a generous bread roll, a variety of deli meats & cheeses and then whatever else you want from the showcase of Mediterranean delights'. [3]
A good continental roll is said to contain at least three different meats, as well as slices of cheese. This approach to a sandwich is not traditional to Italian cuisine, which often avoids the mixing of too many flavours. A Conti roll, by contrast, attempts to 'have the whole shop in the roll'. [1]
The cheese used is typically a Swiss-style cheese, although mozzarella is also used.
The pickled vegetables are typically eggplant, olives, and artichoke. [1] While some contemporary variations use tomato and lettuce in the roll, the traditional approach is to stick to pickled veges. [2]
While the bread is traditionally supposed to be crusty, softer versions of the bread are sometimes used instead. [1]
The conti roll originated at The Re Store Northbridge , one of the RE brothers, whose father Giuseppe arrived in Australia 1885. Italian immigration to Australia . [1] [5] It should be noted though that the sandwiches' origin is contested. [3]
The name 'continental roll' originated in an attempt to market the appeal of the sandwich beyond its Italian audience, and toward Anglo-Australians. The name referred to the ingredients being from continental Europe. [1]
Since its initial creation at the RE Store , the sandwich grew in popularity to become available at other cafes and delicatessens. [6] [7] [1] Other outlets serving continental roles include Passione Gourmet Deli, Charlies Fresh Cafe, and Lo Presti & Son. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [2] Of these outlets, 'The Re Store' has a particularly famed association with the sandwich. [14]
In recent years, contemporary variations on the Conti Roll have emerged. One Perth outlet, Deli's Continental, uses an undercoat of capsicum conserva topped with mortadella, salami, casalinga, and percorino-style cheese. [2]
As of 2023, the original Di Chiera Brothers store has closed for business, although its former owner has said it may one day be reopened. [1] [15]