Here’s a recipe for a Giant Muffaletta Sandwich, a delicious and hearty Italian sandwich that’s perfect for feeding a crowd! It combines layers of Italian deli meats, cheeses, and a tangy olive salad, all packed into a large round loaf of bread.
Ingredients:
For the Olive Salad:
- 1 cup green olives (like Castelvetrano or Kalamata), pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup pickled vegetables (like giardiniera, or a mix of pickled peppers, carrots, and cauliflower), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Sandwich:
- 1 large round Italian bread loaf or muffaletta bread (about 10-12 inches in diameter)
- 1/2 pound Genoa salami, thinly sliced
- 1/2 pound ham, thinly sliced
- 1/2 pound mortadella, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/2 pound provolone cheese, sliced
- 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
Instructions:
1. Make the Olive Salad:
- In a medium bowl, combine the green olives, black olives, pickled vegetables, garlic, capers, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Stir everything together and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Let the olive salad marinate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) in the refrigerator. This will help the flavors meld together.
2. Prepare the Bread:
- Cut the top off the large round loaf of bread and set it aside, like you would a lid.
- Hollow out the inside of the loaf, removing some of the soft bread to create a “well” to hold the fillings. Be careful not to remove too much, as the bread needs to hold everything together.
3. Assemble the Muffaletta:
- Layer the meats in the hollowed-out bread, starting with the Genoa salami, followed by the ham, and then the mortadella (if using).
- Next, layer the slices of provolone cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Generously spoon the olive salad over the top of the cheese layer, spreading it evenly across the sandwich. Make sure to include some of the marinade along with the olives and vegetables for added flavor.
- Place the top of the bread back on the sandwich.
4. Press and Serve:
- Press down on the sandwich gently to compact the layers.
- For the best results, wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours (or up to overnight) to allow the flavors to meld and the sandwich to compress.
- Before serving, slice the sandwich into wedges or quarters.
5. Serve:
- Slice and enjoy your delicious Giant Muffaletta Sandwich!
Tips:
- Make ahead: Muffaletta sandwiches are even better the next day, so you can prepare it in advance for a picnic, party, or event.
- Bread options: If you can’t find muffaletta bread, you can use a round Italian loaf or a hearty ciabatta, but try to get a bread that has a sturdy crust to hold up against the filling.
- Customizations: Feel free to customize the meats and cheeses to your liking. Some versions of muffaletta also include hot capicola or other Italian deli meats.
This Giant Muffaletta Sandwich is packed with bold flavors and is perfect for feeding a group—whether for a picnic, party, or just a hearty meal!