Gearing up for Superbowl...

Muffaletta

Magic Muffaletta

(A New Orleans style hero sandwich)

You can find a Muffaletta anywhere in New Orleans or most of Louisiana.  It was supposedly made at the Central Grocery on Decatur Street first.  When I visited New Orleans, I waited in a line that rapped around the building for about an hour just to get an authentic one… Well worth the wait! 

I used regular ham in this recipe but traditionally you should use Mortadella ham.  Capicolla will also work.  Both are Italian hams that can be found at Specialty grocers.  The Muffaletta should always be served at room temperature- never toasted! The sandwich is best after it has been out for a bit because the juices soak into the bread. All of the flavors mesh together. Because of this, the Muffaletta is great for parties.

If you want to make this sandwich vegetarian, try grilling eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini, and/or yellow squash.  The olive salad is the magic- it is what makes the sandwich.  I found several recipes for Muffaletta.  Some had chopped carrots, chopped cauliflower, red onions and/or anchovies, but they all shared the important olive salad!

Make this sandwich for a Superbowl party, sit back and relax! Be creative, have fun and enjoy!!!

Olive Salad

1¼ c... Green olives with pimientos (chopped)

1¼ c... Pitted Kalamata olives (chopped)

½ c..... Cocktail onions (chopped)

4 Tbs. Capers

1 c...... Celery heart with leaves (chopped)

½ tsp.. Fresh ground black pepper

2 Tbs. Fresh garlic (chopped)

1 Tbs. Fresh oregano (chopped)

¼ c..... Fresh parsley

¼ c..... Olive oil

4 Tbs. Red wine Vinegar

Sandwich (will feed 1-4 people)

1 ea... 10” Round focaccia or Italian bread

4.5 oz Genoa salami

4.5 oz Ham

4.5 oz Provolone cheese 

1 c...... Olive salad 

1.      Mix salad ingredients together and refrigerate overnight.

2.      Pile on salami, ham, cheese and olive salad.

3.      Cut into fourths and enjoy.