The Bluegrass State is home to many of the South’s most-beloved foods and beverages, from bourbon to hot browns. But one dish in particular—a slightly green sandwich—has been a Derby party staple for more than 100 years.

The History of Benedictine Sandwiches

Jennie Carter Benedict may have nothing to do with the famous brunch dish Eggs Benedict, but she is responsible for the tiny tea sandwiches that Derby-goers can’t get enough of.

Jennie got her start in the Louisville culinary scene as a caterer in 1893. By 1900, she had opened her own tea room and restaurant (named Benedict’s, naturally), where the recipe for Benedictine sandwiches was supposedly born.

Not a fan of sitting still, Benedict went on to write her first cookbook, “The Blue Ribbon Cookbook,” published in 1902. Even though it’s currently out of print, the book was so popular it has been reprinted many times, as recently as 2008.

What’s In Benedictine Sandwiches?

The recipe is really quite simple—cream cheese combined with sour cream, grated cucumber, fresh herbs, and a little salt and pepper. Modern recipes call for using a food processor, an appliance that Jennie Benedict could never have dreamt up. She likely used an old-fashioned box grater, which works just fine.

In an interview with Louisville Public Media’s Stephanie Wolf, lauded Kentucky chef Ouita Michel shared her secret for giving her Benedictine spread its signature hue.

“When you peel your cucumbers, if you leave a little bit of the skin on,” Michel says. “Just a smidge— that helps give it a faint green color.”

Are Benedictines The Official Sandwich of The Kentucky Derby?

Surprisingly not. While Benedictine sandwiches have a legion of fans in Louisville and across the state, they’re not the official sandwich of the Kentucky Derby. That honor goes to the Hot Brown, a sandwich allegedly created to sustain and sober up boisterous, late-night dancing guests at Louisville’s Brown Hotel in 1926. That’s all well and good, but if you do the math, Benedictine sandwiches were born around 20 years before Hot Browns. That means they were likely a Derby favorite long before the race’s “official” sandwich came to be.

What Are Some Other Ways to Enjoy Benedictine Sandwiches?

If you’re counting carbs or gluten-intolerant, you can enjoy the flavor and fun of Benedictine Sandwiches in another form—Benedictine Spread. Made with the same ingredients, this cool, green dip is a delicious centerpiece for a spring crudité platter.