1946-1969 - New Orleans Italian-American community and postwar deli shops

Muffuletta

Name: Muffuletta
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 large round sesame seed loaf (8-10 inches); 6 ounces sliced Mortadella; 6 ounces sliced salami; 6 ounces sliced cappicola; 6 ounces sliced Swiss cheese; 6 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese; 1 1/2 cups olive salad (chopped green and black olives, celery, pimentos in olive oil and vinegar); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; Salt and pepper to taste

Muffuletta is a large, round sandwich originating in New Orleans, featuring layers of cold cuts, cheese, and a distinctive olive salad on a sturdy sesame loaf. Popularized after World War II, it became a beloved postwar regional icon blending Italian-American deli traditions with Southern food culture, often enjoyed at picnics and gatherings.

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Difficulty

Medium

Prep time

20 minutes

Cook time

0 minutes

Total time

20 minutes

Servings

4 servings

Region

Louisiana and the Gulf Coast

Era introduced

1946-1969

Introduced by

New Orleans Italian-American community and postwar deli shops

Recipe tools

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The Story

Muffuletta sandwich was introduced to New Orleans' Italian-American community and gained widespread popularity in the postwar years between 1946 and 1969. Combining imported Italian cold cuts and cheeses with a locally favored olive salad, it embodies the city's cultural diversity and culinary fusion. The sandwich's design for portability and bold flavor made it a fixture in picnics and food-centric social occasions, symbolizing strategic adaptation of immigrant food heritage to southern American foodways.

Ingredients

1 large round sesame seed loaf (8-10 inches)
6 ounces sliced Mortadella
6 ounces sliced salami
6 ounces sliced cappicola
6 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
6 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups olive salad (chopped green and black olives, celery, pimentos in olive oil and vinegar)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

Cutting board
Chef's knife
Mixing bowl
Spatula
Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

In a bowl, combine olive salad with olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper; mix well.
Slice the sesame loaf horizontally into 3 layers horizontally.
Spread a generous amount of olive salad on each slice of bread except the top crust.
Layer meats (Mortadella, salami, cappicola) on the bottom slice of bread.
Add slices of Swiss and mozzarella cheese over meats.
Top with the middle layer bread, spread more olive salad, then repeat layering cheese and meats.
Place top crust over sandwich and press down gently.
Wrap sandwich tightly and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

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Setting the table...

Muffuletta

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The Story

Ingredients

Equipment

Directions

Community Recipes

Community Reviews

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