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Savory Mardi Gras Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe Easy Authentic Italian Flavors

Mardi Gras Muffuletta Sandwich - featured image
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A classic New Orleans sandwich featuring layers of Italian cold cuts, cheeses, and a tangy olive salad on a crusty round Italian loaf, perfect for quick, hearty meals and entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large round Italian loaf (about 10 inches diameter), crusty but soft inside
  • 1 cup green olives, pitted and chopped (Castelvetrano recommended)
  • 1 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1/2 cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables), chopped
  • 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 ounces sliced Genoa salami
  • 6 ounces sliced mortadella
  • 6 ounces sliced ham or capicola
  • 6 ounces sliced provolone cheese
  • Optional: 4 ounces sliced mozzarella for extra creaminess
  • Butter or olive oil for toasting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Olive Salad (10 minutes): In a medium bowl, combine chopped green and black olives, giardiniera, and capers. Add minced garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and let sit to marry flavors.
  2. Slice the Italian Loaf (5 minutes): Using a serrated knife, slice the loaf horizontally into two even halves. Trim some inner crumb if needed to reduce bulk.
  3. Layer the Meats and Cheeses (10 minutes): On the bottom half of the loaf, layer Genoa salami, mortadella, ham or capicola, provolone cheese, and optional mozzarella, covering edge to edge.
  4. Spread the Olive Salad (5 minutes): Generously spoon the olive salad evenly over the cheese layer and gently press down to compact.
  5. Assemble the Sandwich (2 minutes): Place the top half of the loaf over the olive salad layer and press gently. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper.
  6. Rest the Muffuletta (at least 1 hour, preferably overnight): Refrigerate the wrapped sandwich to allow flavors to meld and olive salad juices to soak into the bread.
  7. Serve and Enjoy (immediate): Slice into wedges or halves. Optionally toast in a sandwich press or skillet with butter until cheese melts and bread crisps.

Notes

Make the olive salad a day ahead to deepen flavors. Rest the sandwich at least one hour or overnight for best taste. Toasting is optional but adds a crispy crust and melted cheese. For gluten-free, substitute bread; for vegetarian, replace meats with grilled veggies and use suitable cheeses.

Nutrition

Keywords: Muffuletta, Mardi Gras, Italian sandwich, New Orleans, olive salad, Genoa salami, mortadella, provolone, easy sandwich, authentic Italian flavors

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/savory-mardi-gras-muffuletta-sandwich-recipe-easy-authentic-italian-flavors/