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Italian Muffuletta Sandwich

Italian Muffuletta Sandwich
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The Italian Muffuletta Sandwich is a classic New Orleans favorite featuring a bold fusion of savory Italian cured meats, creamy cheeses, and tangy olive salad, layered inside sturdy round Sicilian muffuletta bread. Perfect for hearty lunches, gatherings, or parties, this sandwich delivers rich, complex flavors balanced by crunchy bread and zesty toppings. Customizable and quick to assemble, it’s a flavorful experience that’s both satisfying and unique.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

  • 1 round muffuletta bread (Sicilian sesame bread)

Meats

  • 4 oz Genoa salami, sliced
  • 4 oz mortadella, sliced
  • 4 oz ham, sliced

Cheeses

  • 4 oz provolone cheese, sliced
  • 4 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced

Olive Salad

  • 1 cup green olives, chopped
  • 1 cup black olives, chopped
  • 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp pimentos, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp mixed fresh herbs (such as oregano, parsley), chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp vinegar (red wine or white)

Optional

  • 1–2 tbsp mild mustard
  • Pickled vegetables (such as pickled carrots or hot cherry peppers), as preferred

Instructions

  1. Prepare The Olive Salad: Finely chop a variety of green and black olives along with celery, pimentos, garlic, and herbs. Toss these ingredients with olive oil and a splash of vinegar. Let the mixture marinate for at least a few hours or preferably overnight to develop maximum flavor.
  2. Slice The Muffuletta Bread: Horizontally slice the round muffuletta bread into two equal halves. Remove some of the soft inner bread from each half to make space for the fillings and prevent sogginess.
  3. Layer The Meats and Cheeses: Begin with a generous layer of Genoa salami, followed by mortadella and ham slices. Layer provolone and mozzarella cheese slices evenly over the meats to build a balanced flavor base.
  4. Add The Olive Salad: Spread a thick, even layer of the chilled olive salad on top of the cheese layer, ensuring the zesty flavors will infuse every bite.
  5. Assemble and Press: Place the top half of the bread onto the sandwich and press it down firmly. Wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and place a heavy weight on it. Refrigerate for at least one hour, though resting overnight yields the best melding of flavors.

Notes

  • Let the sandwich rest refrigerated for several hours or overnight to allow the olive salad to soak into the bread and harmonize the flavors.
  • Use fresh, high-quality cured meats and cheeses for the best taste and texture.
  • Customize the olive salad with your preferred types of olives and seasoning levels.
  • Removing some soft bread from the loaf’s center helps avoid sogginess and balances moisture.
  • Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the sandwich into wedges for neat presentation and easier sharing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Muffuletta Sandwich, Muffuletta, Italian sandwich, New Orleans sandwich, olive salad sandwich, cured meat sandwich

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/italian-muffuletta-sandwich/