Muffuletta

 A Sicilian sandwich that consists of a round bread loaf filled with Italian salami, olive salad, cheese & Italian ham. The key ingredient is the olive salad which gives the sandwich its special flavor and makes it appealing to the eye. A true Muffuletta sandwich is served at room temperature & never toasted.

Olive Salad Ingredients: (requires overnight preparation)
1 cup GARLIC STUFFED GORDAL OLIVES* coarsely chopped
½ cup BLACK MISSION OLIVES* coarsely chopped
⅓ cup FIRE ROASTED RED PEPPERS* drained & coarsely chopped
½ cup GREEN CHILI STUFFED GORDAL OLIVES* coarsely chopped
¼ cup roughly chopped pickled cauliflower florets
2 Tbsp drained capers
1 Tbsp chopped celery
1 Tbsp chopped carrot
¼ cup marinated cocktail onions
½ tsp celery seed
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
¾ tsp ground BLACK PEPPER*
¼ cup OREGANO WHITE BALSAMIC VINEGAR*
½ cup BASIL INFUSED OLIVE OIL*

Sandwich Ingredients:
2 (1 lb) loaves crusty Italian bread (can replace Muffaletta loaf)
8 oz thinly sliced Genoa salami
8 oz thinly sliced cooked ham
8 oz sliced Mortadella (Italian sausage/luncheon meat)
8 oz sliced mozzarella cheese
8 oz sliced provolone cheese

OLIVE SALAD: In a medium bowl, combine the olive salad ingredients. Mix and transfer mixture into a glass jar (or other nonreactive container). If needed, pour in more oil to cover mixture completely. Cover jar and refrigerate at least overnight.

SANDWICH ASSEMBLY: Cut loaves of bread in half horizontally; hollow out some of the excess bread to make room for filling. Spread each piece of bread with equal amounts olive salad, including oil. Layer 'bottom half' of each loaf with ½ of the salami, ham, mortadella, mozzarella & Provolone. Replace 'top half' on each loaf and cut sandwich into quarters.

Serve immediately, or wrap tightly and refrigerate for a few hours; this will allow for the flavors to mingle and the olive salad to soak into the bread. Serves 8-10.

* Available at The Vintage Olive *