Go Back
+ servings
The Best Muffuletta Sandwich — An Updated Classic
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

The Best Muffuletta Sandwich — An Updated Classic

Originating from Central Grocery in the French Quarter of New Orleans, the muffuletta is nearly as perfect as sandwiches can get with layers upon layers of fatty mortadella, salty salami, hot soppressata, creamy provolone, briny olive salad, and crunchy giardiniera.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 5
Calories 1347kcal

Ingredients

GIARDINIERA

  • 1.25 cups water
  • 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium carrot thinly sliced
  • 1 rib celery thinly sliced
  • 1/2 head cauliflower finely chopped

OLIVE RELISH

  • 1 cup mixed olives pitted, sliced
  • 2 roasted red peppers finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

MUFFULETTA

  • 1 6-inch-round Italian loaf with sesame seeds split horizontally
  • 4 oz provolone thinly sliced
  • 6 oz mortadella thinly sliced
  • 6 oz salami thinly sliced
  • 6 oz hot soppressata thinly sliced

Instructions

To make the giardiniera

  •  In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, garlic, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt. Bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Chop the cauliflower, carrot, and celery and toss with the oil in a medium bowl. Pour the hot brine over the cut vegetables and let cool to room-temperature, about 1 hour. Transfer to a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

To make the olive relish

  •  In a small bowl, combine the sliced olives, chopped peppers, capers and parsley. Mix and season with salt and freshly cracked pepper. Transfer to a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

To assemble the sandwich

  •  Spread a generous amount of olive relish on the top half of the bread and a followed by an equally generous amount of giardiniera on the bottom half. Layer the provolone, mortadella, salami, and hot soppressata on the bottom half of the bread. Close the sandwich and press down gently. Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic and weigh it down with a cast-iron skillet in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving. Slice into four pieces and serve.

Notes

The trick to a killer muffuletta is the delicious striations of salt, fat, sweet, and sour sandwiched between that sesame-dusted Italian table bread.
You can use store-bought giardiniera and olive tapenade but don’t skimp on anything.
When the sandwich looks impossibly full, wrap it tightly in plastic and weigh it down with a cast-iron skillet in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 20% | Calories: 1347kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 103g | Saturated Fat: 40g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 4674mg | Potassium: 736mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 2645IU | Vitamin C: 14.9mg | Calcium: 227mg | Iron: 4.7mg