Mega Muffaletta
A bold, flavorful, and classic New Orleans-style sandwich, packed with layers of Italian meats, cheeses, and a signature olive salad, all piled onto a round loaf of bread.
Ingredients:
For the Olive Salad:
- 1 cup green olives, chopped
- ½ cup black olives, chopped
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- ¼ cup banana peppers, chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables), chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
For the Sandwich:
- 1 large round loaf of Italian or Sicilian bread (or focaccia)
- ¼ pound salami
- ¼ pound mortadella
- ¼ pound capicola (or ham)
- ¼ pound pepperoni
- ¼ pound provolone cheese
- ¼ pound mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Make the Olive Salad
- In a bowl, mix together green & black olives, roasted red peppers, banana peppers, giardiniera, capers, garlic, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
- Stir in red wine vinegar and olive oil. Let sit for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld (or refrigerate overnight for the best taste).
- Prepare the Bread
- Slice the round loaf of bread in half horizontally.
- Hollow out a little bit of the top and bottom halves if the bread is too thick (to help hold the fillings).
- Assemble the Sandwich
- Spread a generous amount of olive salad (with some of its juices) on both the top and bottom halves of the bread.
- Layer the meats: salami, mortadella, capicola, and pepperoni.
- Add the cheeses: provolone and mozzarella.
- Place the top half of the bread back on.
- Press & Serve
- Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and press it down with a heavy skillet or book for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This helps the flavors blend and makes it easier to slice.
- Cut into large wedges and serve!
🔥 Pro Tip: Serve with chips, pickles, or a side of Italian pasta salad for the full deli-style experience.