How to Make the Perfect Beach Sandwich: The Better Muffuletta

Ah the classic Muffuletta sandwich! An Italian-American delight developed back in 1906 on the outskirts of the French Quarter in New Orleans, LA at the Central Grocery. Often imitated, tourists and locals alike claim there is nothing like the paper wrapped original sold from the same small grocery on the corner of Decatur Street. Well these poor people haven’t tried my version, the perfect sandwich for the perfect beach day.

My muffuletta inspiration came from seeing these beautiful, round Moroccan breads at the market, khobz, that instantly reminded me of the muffuletta and I knew I had to try to make a pork free version. Complete with an olive salad and no mayo (mayo on the beach is blasphemy!) this is the best sandwich you could make for the beach, a picnic, lunch, dinner; really anything. It is just the best, so do yourself a favor and make this ASAP.

Serves 1 – 4 with the median of 2.

Ingredients:

1 round Italian bread or giant sandwich bun type thing

8 ounces of deli turkey

6 ounces of provolone cheese

4 strips of real bacon or turkey bacon, cooked

1 tomato, sliced

6 ounces of iceberg lettuce

For the Olive Salad:

2 tablespoons red onion, minced

2 cloves of roasted garlic, smashed

4 green pitted olives, minced

4 black pitted olives, minced

1 tablespoons of pickled jalapenos, minced (or just pickles if you are a wimp)

1 tablespoon of sundried tomatoes, minced

1/2 teaspoon of each dried basil and oregano

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Let’s start with the olive salad because it is really the only thing you need to make. Everything else is just assembly. But not to worry, it is so easy to make. You see all those ingredients up there for the olive salad? Great, mix it together. Give it a taste and add any salt or pepper you need.
2. Now for the sandwich. Cut that bread in half and slather one side with the olive mixture. Don’t be afraid to pile it on. On the other side of the loaf, layer the turkey, bacon, and cheese. Top it with lettuce and tomato. Now put it all together and cut it like a pizza, in 4 big slices. Devour in power.

If you like this recipe, be sure to try my sausage, pepper, and onion sub or pair it with my pasta salad for the perfect picnic!