Muffuletta

I like to serve this at my Superbowl Extravaganza parties. It's the best sandwich on earth. Even better if you can get it at Central Grocery and eat it on the banks of the Mississippi. Mortadella is weird bologna. Forgo it if it grosses you out too much.

OLIVE SALAD

1 cup chopped green olives stuffed with pimientos (about 25 olives)

1 cup pitted and chopped black-ripe olives (about 25 olives)

1/2 cup roasted sweet red pepper, chopped (1/2 of a 12 oz. jar)

4 large garlic cloves, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

3/4 to 1 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves, crushed

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning – optional

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours to marinate.  Will keep up to 1 week in refrigerator.

SANDWICH

1/3 lb. mortadella*, thinly sliced

1/3 lb. prosciutto**, thinly sliced

1/3 lb. salami***, thinly sliced

1/3 lb. provolone cheese, sliced

1/3 lb. mozzarella cheese, sliced

10” round loaf crusty Italian bread, cut in half horizontally

ASSEMBLY

Remove some of the soft inside of the bread.  You can drain the olive mixture and spread bread halves with oil mixture, then begin layering with cheeses, meats and lastly olive mixture, or, without draining, add half of olive mixture, meat, cheese, meat, cheese, meat, and remaining half of olive mixture.  Cover with other half of bread. Cut and enjoy.

Can wrap in plastic wrap refrigerate and weight it down for 30 minutes before cutting.

Can heat it in a preheated 350° oven.  Place sandwich on baking sheet covered with aluminum foil and heat 10 minutes or until cheeses are melted.

Serves 4 to 6

*Mortadella – a premier sausage meat from Bologna, Italy, made from ground beef, pork, pork fat and seasonings.  The American version is bolgna with pork fat cubes and added garlic.  German version is excellent substitute.   

**Prosciutto – Italian word for ham which is seasoned, salt-cured and air-dried.  Although not original, you can substitute Black Forest ham, baked ham or boiled ham.

***Salami – The sausage family, preserved by curing.  Any salami is good, Genoa salami is preferred.