Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe and History

What is a Muffuletta Sandwich?

Muffuletta; muffaletta; mufeletta  (moof-fuh-LEHT-tuh or moo-foo-LE-ta) – It’s nickname is simply muff.

Muffuletta Sandwiches can be found all over New Orleans from delis to pool halls and also at the corner grocery stores.  It is an Sicilian 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.  The 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 as it is considered blasphemy to heat the sandwich.

Muffuletta Sandwich collage

History of Muffuletta Sandwich:

The Italian Market, the Central Grocery on Decatur Street, claims to have invented this sandwich in 1906.  Italian immigrant, Signor Lupo Salvatore, owner of the Central Grocery, started making the sandwiches for the men who worked the nearby wharves and produce stalls of the French Market.  The sign over the covered sidewalk proudly proclaims, home of The Original Muffuletta.

Central Grocery     Wrapped Muffuletta Sandwich

Marie Lupo Tusa, daughter of the The Central Grocery’s founder, tells the story of the sandwich’s origin in her 1980 cookbook, Marie’s Melting Pot:

One of the most interesting aspects of my father’s grocery is his unique creation, the muffuletta sandwich.  The mufuletta was created in the early 1900’s when the Farmers’ Market was in the same area as the grocery.  Most of the farmers who sold their produce there were Sicilian.  Everyday they used to come of my father’s grocery for lunch.

They would order some salami, some ham, a piece of cheese, a little olive salad, and either long braided Italian bread or round muffuletta bread.  In typical Sicilian fashion they ate everything separately.  The farmers used to sit on crates or barrels and try to eat while precariously balancing their small trays covered with food on their knees.  My father suggested that it would be easier for the farmers if he cut the bread and put everything on it like a sandwich; even if it was not typical Sicilian fashion.  He experimented and found that the ticker, braided Italian bread was too hard to bite but the softer round muffuletta was ideal for his sandwich.  In very little time, the farmers came to merely ask for a “muffuletta” for their lunch.

To this day, tourists and locals line up at both stores out into the street, waiting for their sandwiches.  Muffulettas are more than just sandwiches, they’re a tourist attraction, especially during Mardi Gras.

Muffuletta Sandwich Real N'awlins Version Recipe:
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Creole
Keyword: Muffuletta Sandwich Real N'awlins Version Recipe, Olive Salad Recipe
Servings: 1 to 4 servings
Ingredients
Muffuletta Sandwich:
  • 1 round load Muffuletta Bread  or Italian-style bread, 10-inch in diameter*
  • Olive oil, extra-virgin, or juice from Olive Salad
  • 2 ounces salami, thinly sliced
  • 2 ounces Italian ham, thinly sliced
  • 2 ounces Provolone cheese, thinly sliced
  • 2 ounces Mortadella, (4–6 slices) 
Olive Salad:
  • 2/3 cup green olives, pitted and coarsely-chopped
  • 2/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and coarsely-chopped
  • 1/2 cup pimento, chopped**
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 anchovy fillet, mashed
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup parsley leaves, finely-chopped
  • 1 teaspoon pepper, freshly-ground
  • 1/2 cup olive oil, extra-virgin
Instructions
Muffuletta Sandwich Instructions:
  1. Either make or purchase your Muffuletta Bread.

  2. Prepare the Olive Salad (see recipe below).

  3. Cut bread in half crosswise (lengthwise) 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.

  4. Layer salami, Italian ham, Mortadella and Provolone cheese on the bottom piece.

  5. Top with as much Olive Salad as will fit without spilling out.  Add top of loaf and press down slightly.

  6. Slice in quarters and serve.  Always serve the prepared Muffuletta Sandwich at room temperature, never toasted.

  7. Makes 1 to 4 servings (depending your the appetite).

Olive Salad Instructions:
  1. In a medium-size bowl, combine all the ingredients and then allow the flavors to mingle for at least 1 hour prior to serving.

  2. Store, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Recipe Notes

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

** Pimiento are small sweet red peppers, similar to, but more flavorful than, a bell pepper.  You will find small jars of pimiento in your grocery store.

Categories:

Food History    Ham Recipes    Lunch    Mardi Gras    Pork Sandwiches    Sandwiches History    South Central   

Comments and Reviews

5 Responses to “Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe and History”

  1. Barri

    I grew up in New Orleans and having Central Groceries Muffuletta was a special treat. When my husband and I go back and visit New Orleans we make it a point to have a Central Grocery Muffuletta. Don’t think any other stands up to theirs. It’s an experience every time. I live in MA so I now order my muffuletta bread and olive salad and make my own. Not the same, but oh so yummy.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous

    I like the sandwich very nice people that work there

    Reply
  3. Robert Carlson

    I visited New Orleans in June of 1969, 54 years this month, at age 19. Our host , from Metairie, took us to the Quarter to Central Grocery for a muffuletta. To this day, one of my favorite, maybe most favorite sandwich I’ve ever had. Took my wife there a few years ago, and after checking in, took her straight to Central Grocery for a muffuletta. She loved it. We’ve tried to make one ourselves over the years, but its just not the same. I think its the bread. RJC

    Reply
    • Nancy

      Food memories are the best, you can never quite recreate it at home. It’s great, because you just have to go back!

      Reply
  4. Sherry A

    Just got back from NOLA! Had the Central Grocery Muffuletta. It was SO amazing.! It is a must try when you go to New Orleans.

    Reply

Leave a Reply