Mediterranean Veggie Muffuletta Recipes

MUFFULETTAS

Steps:

• Whisk the first 3 ingredients in a large bowl to blend. Gradually blend in the oil. Stir in the olives and roasted peppers. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Cut the top 1-inch of the bread loaf. Set the top aside. Hollow out the bottom and top halves of the bread. Spread some of the olive and roasted pepper mix over the bread bottom and cut side of the bread top. Layer the meats and cheeses in the bread bottom. Top with the onions, then the arugula. Spread the remaining olive and roasted pepper mix on top of the sandwich and carefully cover with the bread top. You can serve the sandwich immediately or you can wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator a day before serving.
• Cut the sandwich into wedges and serve.

VEGETARIAN MUFFULETTAS WITH PICKLED ICEBERG

Steps:

• First, make the pickled iceberg:
• Place the vinegar, water, garlic, sugar, fennel seeds, oregano, pimentón, and salt in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir to dissolve the sugar and salt, and then turn off the heat.
• Working with 1 leaf at a time, place the lettuce into a large bowl and pour a little of the hot brine on each leaf as you layer them in the bowl. Pour any extra brine into the bowl. Let the mixture cool to room temperature (at this point you can cover the bowl in plastic and refrigerate it for up to a day). Once the brine cools, drain the iceberg (save the brine for another use or discard) and pat dry the leaves with a kitchen towel.
• Next, finish the sandwiches:
• While the lettuce is cooling down, stir together the olives, capers, and mayonnaise in a small bowl.
• Divide the olive mixture between the tops and bottoms of each roll. Layer each sandwich evenly with provolone, peppers, pickled iceberg, and mozzarella. Close each sandwich and wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap.
• Place a flat surface (like a cutting board or sheet pan) on top of the sandwiches and put something heavy on top (like a cast-iron skillet or a few cans of beans). Let the sandwiches sit for at least 1 hour at room temperature (or a day in the refrigerator, but bring to room temperature before serving).
• Unwrap the sandwiches, cut each in half, and serve.

VEGETARIAN MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Cut bread in half and hollow out the bottom, leaving only the crust.
• In food processor, chop gardineira, mushrooms, artichoke hearts and olives along with marinating liquid from jars.
• Spread 1/3 of the veggie mixture on the bottom of the bread.
• Layer with provolone cheese.
• Layer of roasted peppers.
• Layer of watercress.
• Layer of veggie mixture.
• Layer of feta.
• Layer of tomatoes.
• Layer of veggie mixture.
• Top sandwich with other half of bread.
• Wrap sandwich toghtly in plastic and weight or press with a heavy pan or a pan with some cans in it.
• Chill overnight.
• Slice into wedges to serve.

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 14 ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours. , Cut bread in half horizontally; carefully hollow out top and bottom, leaving a 1-in. shell (discard removed bread or save for another use). Spoon half the olive mixture over bottom half of bread. Layer with salami, ham, mortadella, Swiss and provolone; top with remaining olive mixture. Replace bread top. Wrap tightly. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight. Cut into 8 wedges.

MEDITERRANEAN VEGGIE MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Combine the dressing and olive salad ingredients and stir together thoroughly; chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
• Trim the stem off the eggplant and slice lengthwise - slices should be about 1/4" thick and the skin should be left on for easier broiling.
• Arrange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and brush with half the vinaigrette dressing; broil slices 4 to 5 inches from heat source for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly browned, then remove from heat and set aside.
• Cut (round) loaf of bread horizontally and pull out some of the soft center to allow room for sandwich filling.
• Drain the olive salad from the dressing, reserving the dressing.
• Put half of the olive salad over the base of the loaf.
• Now create layers of broiled eggplant, half of the cheeses, half of the peppers, half spinach, half tomatoes, half lettuce, and drizzle with a tablespoon of the reserved dressing; repeat all layers, and end with a third layer of eggplant.
• Drizzle the remaining dressing (or as much as you like) with olives on the underside of the loaf "lid" and place on top of sandwich.
• Wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Note: some muffuletta lovers continue with the following directions - my personal preference is to do so, but it's up to you: place the filled loaf on a plate or flat pan; cover with another pan and load several pounds of weight on top (you can use canned goods, a bag of sugar, whatever you have that is heavy); refrigerate for at least 4 hours; this compresses the sandwich, marrying flavors and making it easier to cut and serve; cut into small wedges for serving.
• The flavors are best if the muffuletta is chilled for at least 4 hours and then brought to room temp before cutting and serving.