Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich
Ingredients:
For the Olive Salad:
– 150 g green olives, pitted and chopped
– 150 g black olives, pitted and chopped
– 75 g roasted red peppers, chopped
– 60 g pickled giardiniera, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 60 ml olive oil
– 30 ml red wine vinegar
– 5 g dried oregano
– 5 g dried basil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Sandwich:
– 1 large round loaf of Italian or French bread (23-25 cm loaf)
– 115 g sliced Genoa salami
– 115 g sliced mortadella
– 115 g sliced chicken ham
– 115 g sliced provolone cheese
– 115 g sliced mozzarella cheese
Directions:
1. Make the Olive Salad:
– In a medium bowl, combine the green olives, black olives, roasted red peppers, pickled giardiniera, and minced garlic.
– Stir in the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
– Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to let the flavors meld.
2. Prepare the Bread:
– Slice the loaf of bread horizontally in half. If the bread is too thick, scoop out some of the interior to create room for the fillings.
3. Assemble the Sandwich:
– Spread half of the olive salad generously on the bottom half of the bread.
– Layer the salami, mortadella, chicken ham, provolone cheese, and mozzarella cheese on top of the olive salad.
– Spread the remaining olive salad on the top half of the bread.
4. Press the Sandwich:
– Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich.
– Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
– Press the sandwich with a heavy skillet or a few cans on top. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Serve:
– Unwrap the sandwich and slice into wedges. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor.
Enjoy your Giant Muffaletta Italian Sandwich! This sandwich is a perfect centerpiece for any gathering, with its bold, savory flavors and layers of deliciousness!