Savory Squished Muffuletta Delight
Discover the nostalgic flavors of a classic family recipe with our Savory Squished Muffuletta Delight! This sandwich, affectionately known as 'Mom's Sit Sandwich,' brings together layers of vibrant ingredients and tangy marinated artichokes, all nestled within a freshly baked round loaf. Perfect for outings and picnics, it keeps for hours in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. A fun twist? The secret to its exceptional taste lies in its unique preparation – a playful sit-down to compress the ingredients ensures every bite is satisfying and bursting with flavor. Relive those cherished memories while enjoying a crowd-pleasing meal any time of the day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
French bread loaf
1 large (round loaf (can be oval 'peasant' or sourdough))
Marinated artichoke hearts
1 (6.5 ounce) jar (drained, liquid reserved (can be whole or roughly chopped))
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup
Ripe tomatoes
3 large (sliced)
Salami
3 ounces (thinly sliced)
Unsmoked turkey breast
1/2 lb (thinly sliced)
Cheese (your choice)
1/4 lb (sliced, provolone and fresh mozzarella recommended)
Sliced ripe black olives
1 (2.5 ounce) can (drained)
Purple onion
1 (thinly sliced (amount to taste))
Instructions
1
Start by cutting the loaf of bread in half horizontally. Gently hollow out the soft interior from both halves, leaving about 3/4-inch thick shell. Reserve the soft bread for other delicious uses.
2
In a small bowl, mix the reserved artichoke liquid with mayonnaise. Spread this mixture generously onto both halves of the hollowed-out bread.
3
On the bottom half of the bread, begin layering your ingredients. Alternate layers of sliced tomatoes, salami, turkey breast, cheese, artichoke hearts, olives, and purple onion at least three times, ensuring the sandwich is mounded high with fresh ingredients. Begin and end with a layer of tomatoes for added freshness.
4
Carefully place the top half of the bread over the abundant mound of fillings. Wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap to secure the ingredients.
5
For the best flavor, allow the sandwich to rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours before serving to let the flavors combine.
6
To enjoy, place the wrapped sandwich on a hard surface and confidently apply your weight—yes, sit on it! This unique step smashes the toppings together to create a cohesive, flavor-packed sandwich.
7
Slice the sandwich into wedges or slices before serving, and watch as everyone goes for seconds!
8
Optional: If you have extra mayo mixture, don't forget that it makes a fantastic salad dressing!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Savory Squished Muffuletta Delight?
It is a layered sandwich featuring meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables inside a hollowed-out round bread loaf, known for being compressed to meld flavors.
What is the nickname for this sandwich?
This recipe is affectionately known as 'Mom's Sit Sandwich' due to the unique way it is compressed.
What kind of bread is best for this recipe?
A large round French bread loaf is ideal, though oval 'peasant' loaves or sourdough also work well.
How do I prepare the bread loaf?
Cut the loaf horizontally and hollow out the soft interior from both halves, leaving a shell about 3/4-inch thick.
What should I do with the soft bread removed from the center?
The soft interior bread should be reserved for other delicious uses like making breadcrumbs or stuffing.
How do I make the sandwich spread?
Mix 1/2 cup of mayonnaise with the reserved liquid from the marinated artichoke hearts.
What meats are used in the Savory Squished Muffuletta?
The recipe calls for 3 ounces of thinly sliced salami and 1/2 pound of thinly sliced unsmoked turkey breast.
Which cheeses are recommended for this sandwich?
Provolone and fresh mozzarella are the recommended choices for this recipe.
How many layers should the sandwich have?
You should alternate the layers of ingredients at least three times to ensure the sandwich is mounded high.
What is the correct order for layering the ingredients?
Alternate sliced tomatoes, salami, turkey, cheese, artichoke hearts, olives, and purple onion, starting and ending with tomatoes.
How do I wrap the sandwich for storage?
Wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap to keep all the fillings secure.
How long should the muffuletta rest in the refrigerator?
The sandwich should rest for at least 2 hours, but it can stay in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
What is the secret step to this sandwich's flavor?
The secret step is to sit on the wrapped sandwich to compress the ingredients together.
Why do you sit on the sandwich?
Sitting on it smashes the toppings together, creating a cohesive and flavor-packed texture.
When should I perform the 'sitting' step?
Sit on the wrapped sandwich after it has rested in the refrigerator and just before you are ready to slice and serve.
Can I use the leftover mayo mixture for anything else?
Yes, the extra mayonnaise and artichoke liquid mixture makes a fantastic salad dressing.
Is this sandwich suitable for picnics?
Yes, it is perfect for picnics because it is travel-friendly and the flavors improve over time.
How should the sandwich be sliced?
Slice the round loaf into wedges or traditional sandwich slices before serving.
What type of artichokes should I buy?
Use one 6.5-ounce jar of marinated artichoke hearts, ensuring you reserve the liquid.
How many tomatoes are required?
The recipe requires three large ripe tomatoes, which should be sliced.
What type of onion is used in the recipe?
One purple onion, thinly sliced to your personal taste, is used for the layers.
What size can of olives is needed?
You will need one 2.5-ounce can of sliced ripe black olives, drained.
Can this be made with sourdough bread?
Yes, sourdough is an excellent alternative to standard French bread for this recipe.
Is the turkey smoked or unsmoked?
The recipe specifically recommends using unsmoked turkey breast.
Does the sandwich stay fresh for long?
Yes, it keeps for several hours in the refrigerator, allowing the vibrant flavors to meld beautifully.
How much cheese is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 pound of your choice of sliced cheese.
Should the artichokes be chopped?
They can be used whole or roughly chopped depending on your preference.
What is the primary flavor profile of this sandwich?
It features tangy flavors from marinated artichokes combined with savory meats and fresh vegetables.
Is this a traditional family recipe?
Yes, it is described as a classic family recipe that brings back cherished memories.
Can I use more than one type of cheese?
Yes, using a combination like provolone and fresh mozzarella is highly recommended.