The Unexpected Sandwich Jeff Goldblum Can’t Stop Talking About

Jeff Goldblum is like the eighth wonder of the world, which is why it makes so much sense that the famed actor is about to star alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, set to premiere on Friday, November 22. 

The actor holds an incredible filmography, sense of style and a general charmingly witty authenticity that are all pure magic. To add to his generosity of spirit, Jeff approaches life with childlike wonder, always having an immense curiosity about new ideas and delighting in the smallest of things. That simple approach seems to extend to food too because we've noticed that Goldblum loves a good sandwich.

Related: The Simple Sandwich Jeff Goldblum Calls 'The Love of His Life'

Though classic options, like a turkey sandwich, a tuna fish sandwich and a BLT are high on Goldblum's list, there's another sandwich combo he's interested to try. And in the spirit of Wicked, it features an emerald green ingredient.

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At a recent fashion event, Goldblum was asked about the most radical thing he's ever done. Goldblum stroked his chin (as he does) and said, "I had a radical idea the other day to make a sandwich with peanut butter and pickles." His response elicited a look of surprise from his wife, Emilie Livingston. When we got word of this, we were surprised and also intrigued, so we decided to do a little digging into the world of peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. Here's what we found.

Related: I Tried Adam Sandler's Famous 'World's Greatest Sandwich'

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What is a Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich?

While it's not as mainstream as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, it turns out that the peanut butter and pickle sandwich has deep roots in American food history. In fact, writer Dwight Garner of the New York Times called it a "a thrifty and unacknowledged American classic" when he wrote about it in 2012.

Garner goes on to say that the 3-ingredient sandwich dates back to the Great Depression when nonperishable items like peanut butter and pickles were affordable and available. The recipe also showed up in cookbooks in the 1930s and 40s, when home cooks used pickle relish, which we can see taking the place of jelly, but recent recipes use sliced bread-and-butter or kosher dills.

The sandwich might raise eyebrows because relish and pickles are usually paired with things like hot dogs and hamburgers, but when you think about it, the combo does make sense. The tangy pickles cut the richness of the peanut butter and offer some textural contrast too. The peanut butter and pickle pairing is reminiscent of Thai dishes that utilize bright tangy ingredients, like lime and pickled vegetables, with peanut sauce.

Need more convincing? Just take it from Garner, who has been eating the sandwich for years thanks to his dad's love of the combo. "The vinegary snap of chilled pickle cuts, like a dash of irony, against the stoic unctuousness of peanut butter," he says. We think Goldblum would approve of that rather flowery description.

Related: I Tried the Larry David Sandwich from Curb Your Enthusiasm

How to Make a Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich

Here's the recipe, if you can call it that: Spread peanut butter on two slices of sandwich bread, like whole grain or white. Top the peanut butter with your choice of sliced pickles. Top with the other slice of bread. Slice in half or keep whole and eat immediately.

Related: I Tried the Ted Danson Sandwich Recipe

Now that we've convinced you, it might be a good time to reveal that Goldblum admitted the idea of a sandwich with peanut butter and pickles was "too radical" even for him that he has yet to make the sandwich for himself and Emilie. When he asked Emilie what she thought, she said, "I think we should try it and decide for ourselves."

So Jeff if you're reading this, this one's for you. We suggest that you give it a try! It might just have you saying, "Oooooooooh. SANDWICH. OH MY GOSH, indeed!" once more. Maybe you won't and that's fine, too. To quote a song sung by your Wicked character: "It's all in which label is able to persist." As pickle and peanut lovers, we'll be sneaking a few sandwiches to the movies this weekend for the Wicked and Gladiator 2 double feature.

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