A few years ago on the cheesesteak episode of Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Tony Luke brought out his secret weapon: broccoli rabe.  The resulting cheeseteak looked great, Tony defeated Bobby, and from then on out I viewed broccoli rabe in a new light — not just as a side vegetable, but as a topping.

Now I seek out sandwiches with broccoli rabe.  I love the dimensions it adds: a bit of crunch, some chewiness and a mild bitterness.

For a satisfying sandwich with the rabe, try the eggplant and prosciutto specialty sandwich at The Iron Tomato in White Plains.

Comes with thin slices of fried eggplant, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and nestled inside, fresh pieces of soft broccoli rabe.

At over $10, not the cheapest thing around, but the high-quality ingredients and substantial size make up for it.  I just wish the bread had been toasted or pressed. It’s the same complaint I voiced about a similar sandwich at Casa d’Italia in Harrison, so maybe toasting is simply not the preferred method of choice. Too bad, because I always think warm, toasted bread brings all the elements together.

Regardless, a very good sandwich, made even better by the broccoli rabe.  Can’t get enough of that stuff.

The Iron Tomato
57 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY
914-328-9400