New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich, Sandwich Recipe

New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich
(moof-fuh-LEHT-tuh or moo-foo-LE-ta)

Photo courtesy of Jay's Marketplace in St. Petersburg, FL.

The muffufletta sandwiches' nickname is simply “muff.” These sandwiches can be found all over New Orleans from delis to pool halls and the corner grocery stores. It is considered as much a signature sandwich of New Orleans as the Po' Boy Sandwich.

It is an Italian sandwich that consists of a round loaf of bread (about 10 inches across) filled with Italian salami, olive salad, cheese, Italian ham, and freshly minced garlic. They key ingredient is the olive salad which gives the sandwich its special flavor and makes it appealing to the eye. A true Muffuletta Sandwich must always be served at room temperature, never toasted; it is considered blasphemy to heat the sandwich. Imagine a sandwich that is almost as wide as a Frisbee and so wide that it is hard to bite into.

Learn about the History of Muffuletta Sandwiches by Linda Stradley.

Check out Linda's Sandwich Recipes.

New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich

1 round loaf Muffuletta Bread, 10-inch in diameter*
Olive Salad (see recipe below)
Extra-virgin olive oil or juice from Olive Salad
2 ounces salami, thinly sliced
2 ounces Italian ham, thinly sliced
2 ounces Provolone cheese, thinly sliced

* Italian bread may be substituted. Check out my Muffuletta Bread recipe.

Make Muffuletta Bread and make Olive Salad. Cut bread in half crosswise and scoop out about half of the soft dough from top and bottom pieces (this is to provide more room for the sandwich ingredients). Brush the inside bottom of loaf with olive oil or juice from the Olive Salad marinade. Layer salami, Italian ham and Provolone cheese on the bottom piece. Top with as much Olive Salad as will fit without spilling out. Add top of loaf and press down slightly. Slice in quarters and serve. Always serve the Muffuletta Sandwich at room temperature, never toasted.

Makes 1 to 4 servings, depending on the appetite.

OLIVE SALAD:
2/3 cup pitted and coarsely chopped green olives
2/3 cup pitted and coarsely chopped kalamata olives
1/2 cup chopped pimiento
3 cloves garlic , minced
1 anchovy fillet, mashed
1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients and then allow the flavors to mingle for at least 1 hour prior to serving. Store, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to use.