Italian Muffuletta Sandwich (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Olive Salad

01 - 1 cup green olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
02 - 1 cup black olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
03 - 1/2 cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables), drained and coarsely chopped
04 - 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
05 - 1/4 cup capers, drained
06 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Sandwich Components

13 - 1 large round Italian sesame seed bread (approximately 25 cm in diameter)
14 - 115g thinly sliced mortadella
15 - 115g thinly sliced salami
16 - 115g thinly sliced capicola
17 - 115g thinly sliced provolone cheese
18 - 115g thinly sliced mozzarella cheese

# Instructions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine green olives, black olives, giardiniera, roasted red peppers, capers, celery, and minced garlic. Add olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to develop.
02 - Slice the round Italian bread loaf horizontally. If necessary, remove some of the interior crumb to create space for fillings. Spread half of the prepared olive salad evenly across the bottom half of the bread.
03 - Arrange layers of mortadella, salami, capicola, provolone, and mozzarella over the olive salad base. Distribute the remaining olive salad evenly over the layered meats and cheeses.
04 - Place the top half of the bread over the fillings. Press down firmly but gently to compact the sandwich. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place under a heavy skillet or weighted plate for at least 30 minutes to compress ingredients.
05 - Remove plastic wrap and use a sharp knife to cut the sandwich into wedges. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours for enhanced flavor development.

# Notes:

01 - The muffuletta improves with time as flavors meld, making it ideal for preparing several hours in advance.
02 - Traditional New Orleans muffulettas use a specific round Sicilian bread, but any quality round Italian loaf will work well.
03 - For authentic flavor, allow the olive salad to marinate overnight before assembly.

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