🥪 Mediterranean Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich
Description
The Muffaletta is a legendary New Orleans sandwich inspired by Italian flavors, traditionally made with a round Sicilian sesame loaf, layered with cured meats, cheeses, and a briny olive salad. This Mediterranean twist uses a vibrant olive tapenade spread, roasted vegetables, and classic Italian deli meats and cheeses. It’s a showstopper for parties, picnics, or game-day gatherings!
📝 Ingredients
For the Olive Tapenade Spread:
- 1 cup mixed olives (green & Kalamata), pitted
- 2 tbsp capers
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), drained
- 2 tbsp roasted red peppers
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Sandwich:
- 1 large round Italian loaf (or ciabatta boule, about 10–12 inches wide)
- 4 oz sliced mortadella
- 4 oz sliced Genoa salami
- 4 oz sliced prosciutto
- 4 oz sliced pepperoni
- 6 oz provolone cheese, sliced
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1 roasted eggplant or zucchini (optional, for Mediterranean twist)
- Fresh basil leaves
👩🍳 Instructions
- Make the Tapenade
- Add olives, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, parsley, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, and pepper to a food processor.
- Pulse until finely chopped but still a bit chunky. Set aside.
- Prepare the Bread
- Slice the round loaf horizontally.
- Hollow out a little of the bread interior to make room for fillings.
- Assemble the Muffaletta
- Spread a generous layer of the olive tapenade on both halves of the bread.
- Layer meats and cheeses: mortadella, salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, provolone, mozzarella.
- Add roasted eggplant/zucchini slices and fresh basil for a Mediterranean flair.
- Press & Rest
- Place the top half of the bread back on.
- Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap.
- Press with a heavy skillet or weights for at least 1–2 hours (or overnight in the fridge) for flavors to meld.
- Serve
- Slice into wedges (like a cake!) and serve at room temperature.
🍴 Servings
- Makes 8–10 wedges, depending on loaf size.
💡 Notes & Tips
- Use a sturdy round loaf so it holds up to the fillings.
- Letting it rest overnight deepens the flavor.
- Add roasted red peppers, artichokes, or grilled veggies for more Mediterranean flair.
- If serving for a crowd, pre-slice and wrap wedges in parchment for easy grabbing.
🔢 Nutritional Info (per serving, approx. 1 wedge out of 8)
- Calories: ~460
- Protein: 23g
- Carbs: 32g
- Fat: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: High (from cured meats & olives, adjust with low-sodium options if needed)
🌿 Benefits
- Protein-rich from meats & cheeses.
- Healthy fats from olives and olive oil.
- Mediterranean antioxidants from sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, and basil.
- Great for entertaining — feeds a crowd with minimal fuss.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes! Skip the meats and load up with grilled eggplant, zucchini, artichokes, mushrooms, and extra cheese.
Q: How far ahead can I prepare this?
A: Up to 24 hours ahead — it actually tastes better when flavors meld.
Q: What bread works best if I can’t find an Italian round loaf?
A: Ciabatta, focaccia, or even large sourdough boules work beautifully.
Q: Can I freeze Muffaletta?
A: Not recommended — freezing alters the texture of bread and tapenade.