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Italian Muffuletta Sandwich

Italian Muffuletta Sandwich
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The Italian Muffuletta Sandwich is a classic New Orleans specialty featuring layers of Italian cold cuts, provolone and mozzarella cheeses, and a tangy homemade olive salad, all nestled inside a round sesame-crusted muffuletta bread. This hearty sandwich offers a perfect balance of savory, creamy, and tangy flavors with satisfying textures, making it an ideal meal for lunch, dinner, or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

  • 1 round muffuletta bread loaf (sesame-crusted)

Italian Cold Cuts

  • 150g Genoa salami, sliced
  • 150g mortadella, sliced
  • 150g capicola, sliced

Cheeses

  • 100g provolone cheese, sliced
  • 100g mozzarella cheese, sliced

Olive Salad

  • 1 cup green olives, finely chopped
  • 1 cup black olives, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup pickled vegetables (celery, carrots, cauliflower), finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Vegetables

  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small bell pepper, thinly sliced

Additional Ingredients

  • Olive oil for toasting bread

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Olive Salad: Finely chop green and black olives along with pickled vegetables like celery, carrots, and cauliflower. Toss them together with olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Let the mixture rest for at least one hour to meld the flavors.
  2. Slice the Muffuletta Bread: Cut the round muffuletta bread horizontally into two equal halves. Hollow out some of the soft inner bread from both halves to create space for the fillings without making the sandwich overly bulky.
  3. Layer the Meats and Cheeses: On the bottom half of the bread, layer a generous amount of Genoa salami, mortadella, and capicola slices. Then add provolone and mozzarella cheese slices over the meats to provide creamy texture and balance.
  4. Add the Olive Salad: Generously spread the prepared olive salad over the cheese layer. This adds tangy, zesty flavor as well as moisture to the sandwich.
  5. Assemble and Press the Sandwich: Place the top half of the bread over the layered fillings. Wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Place a heavy object on top and press for at least 30 minutes to help flavors meld and the sandwich hold together for easier slicing.
  6. Slice and Serve: Unwrap the pressed sandwich and slice it into wedges. Serve immediately or refrigerate if preparing ahead of time.

Notes

  • Use high-quality and fresh Italian cold cuts and olives for the best flavor experience.
  • Preparing the olive salad a day in advance enhances its depth of flavor.
  • Pressing the sandwich ensures the layers meld and the bread softens slightly for better texture.
  • Lightly toast the bread with olive oil before assembling for a crisp contrast to the soft fillings.
  • Use a serrated knife to slice the sandwich cleanly without crushing the bread.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian Muffuletta sandwich, New Orleans sandwich, Italian cold cuts, olive salad, deli sandwich, classic sandwich, muffuletta bread

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