Muffuletta

Submitted by Scarlett516

"A sandwich that originated in New Orleans, this recipe is from the Café Maspero in the French Quarter. Traditionally, a muffaletta has venison, but this version uses pastrami, which is the Café Maspero's specialty. The time does not include the 1 hour marinating."

 

• Ready In: 15mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• Olive Salad

• 4 ounces giardiniera, mixed marinated vegetables
• 3 ounces greek kalamata olives, pitted
• 3 ounces Sicilian olives, pitted
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• Assembly

• 4 seeded rolls, sliced
• 1⁄2 lb smoked ham, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 lb pastrami, thinly sliced
• 8 slices genoa salami
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• 1 cup olive salad

directions

1. Drain the giardiniera and olives. Chop coarsely in a food processor.
2. Remove to a bowl and add the olive oil, garlic, oregano, ground black pepper, and stir well. Set aside and allow to marinate for one hour.
3. Spread 1 tbsp olive salad on each side of the rolls.
4. Place 3 slices of pastrami on each roll, followed by three slices of ham and 2 slices of salami.
5. Top each roll with 2 slices of cheese and place under a broiler until the cheese has melted and the sandwich is warm. Place the top on the roll and serve immediately.

Reviews

[NolaFoodie]

Ok, I just gotta clear a couple of things up here. I have lived in New Orleans for most of my life and a traditional muffuletta has NEVER included pastrami or venison! Maspero's makes pretty good sandwiches but their version of this one is not authentic. The traditional meats used are ham, genoa salami, and mortadella. Mortadella is an pork product that originated in Bologna, Italy. It is similar to American bologna (no surprise) but includes chunks of pork fat. It's also a little more garlicky than bologna. If you can't find mortadella in your area, a better substitute would be a good quality, thinly sliced deli bologna, such as Boar's Head or Thurman's. Also, the traditional bread is a very large (about 9") round, seeded Italian loaf which is served cut in quarters. That said, this is pretty good, but it is NOT a muffuletta - it is a pastrami sandwich with olive salad! :)

 

[Cheri 911]

This is a great version of a classic. I love the olive salad recipe, especially. I don't usually broil the sandwiches, but rather assemble and wrap to take for a weekend trip or picnic. They actually improve with a little time assembled - the flavors meld deliciously.

 

[JustMeMelMel]

We really loved the olive salad wth the meats! It added so much flavor to the sandwich. We will have these luscious sandwiches often!

 

[Lavender Lynn]

This is a really good sandwich, and should probably get more respect than we gave it; but the cost of the ingredients had us looking for more yet; and there was a bitterness in the olive salad we could do without. That said, it's a carnival of flavors and a big fat sandwich and will be enjoyed, especially by the adventurous. Made for Zaar World Tour 5.

 

[Yogachef]

Wow!!! Finally I've tried this sandwich. Don't know why I've waited so long... The sharp vinegar in the giardiniera combined with the smoothness of the kalamata and sicilian olives. Take that with the smoked and saltly goodness of the smoked ham, genoa salami, and the pastrami and the smooth creaminess of the provolone cheese, and you have perfection in a bun. Even my olive-disliking husband and daughter could not get enough of this gem. Can't wait to have it again!!! Made for ZWT5.