Sandwich Towers for Unexpected Guests (1937)

What would we do without the sandwich, I wonder? There seems to be no end to the permutations and combinations and variations on the theme of bread plus filling. I was going to give you Rolled Sandwiches today, but I came across Sandwich Towers, and they seemed like a fine and fancy spin on the basic idea. The ‘new snack’ idea of a sandwich tower was hailed in The Washington Post of January 31, 1937.

First, I give you the block of text that accompanied the photo image in the article:

Sandwich towers are new snacks, especially appropriate for luncheon or supper when guests are coming in. They are made by combining different breads and filling, creating an attractive color scheme as well as an appetizing bit of food. Relishes as pickles, ripe and green olives, radishes, deviled eggs or pickled onions are appropriate for these sandwiches. Steaming hot coffee will complete the quick pick-up that is a meal in itself. Cheese spreads or sandwich meats may be used in place of jam and preserves if you prefer.

And the article proper:

Sandwiches Will Improve Tea, Supper.

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Fillings Available in Endless Variety for Dainty Morsels.

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‘Towers’ Prove Popular When Guests Arrive Unexpectedly.

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By Rebekah Blake

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Sandwiches have been popular with both young and old for centuries, but their popularity gains new life every time someone discovers a new sandwich spread, or invents a new shape in which to serve them.

Sandwiches are so important in our menus that they are not served for luncheion, dinner, supper, tea, and even breakfast. They are especially good for supper and tea menus, for, as a rule, sandwiches may be eaten with the fingers.

Sandwich towers owe their popularity not only to their attractive shapes, but also to the deliciousness gained by combining several of the most common sandwich fillings. They are easy to prepare. Almost every housewife will have all the necessary ingredients on her pantry shelves. Sandwich towers are just the thing to serve unexpected guests.

Afternoon Tea.

Tower Sandwiches.

Worcestershire sauce and butter sandwiches.

Chicken and almond sandwiches

Tea       Spiced Syrup

Tinted sugar cubes

Pinwheel cookies

Sand tarts

Iced cakes

Supper.

Hot tomato and chicken bouillon

Sandwich towers

Jellied vegetable salad

Sliced cold tongue

Celery curls                     Olives

Coffee

Cocoanut cake

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Sandwich towers

Sliced brown and white bread

Fillings.

Peanut butter, cottage cheese, peach, pineapple, or pear jam, strawberry, raspberry, or loganberry preserves, and currant, apple, or grape jam.

Garnishes suggested.

Pickle, radish roses, and deviled eggs.

I have posted many, many sandwich ‘recipes’ over the years, and was very tempted to give you Prune Sandwiches today, but I thought that the recipe for the spiced tea syrup given in the menu above would be an interesting change.

Spiced Syrup for Tea.

Put in a saucepan 1 cup water and ½ cup sugar. Heat to boiling point and when sugar is dissolved add 1 tablespoon cloves, crushed, and a 2-inch piece stick cinnamon broken in pieces. Boil gently 4 minutes and strain.

If you are a fan of sandwiches in any form, may I remind you of Sandwich Casserole?