Recipe(tried): Original Muffaletta Sandwich

THIS RECIPE WAS GIVEN TO ME 28 YEARS AGO BY A CO-WORKER. HER GRANDFATHER IS THE ORIGINATOR OF THIS SANDWICH IN THE FRENCH QUARTER. HE WAS MAKING THEM LONG BEFORE THE CENTRAL GROCERY.

HERE IS HIS RECIPE FOR THE SANDWICH (THE OLIVE SALAD RECIPE WAS POSTED SEPARATELY)

ITALIAN MUFFLETTA SANDWICH

1 LARGE ROUND LOAF ITALIAN BREAD

1 CUP OLIVE SALAD WITH SOME OF THE OIL

1/4 EACH OF THE FOLLOWING MEATS AND CHEESES:\

MORTADELLA, GENOA SALAMI, HAM, MOZZARELLA AND PROVALONE
ALL THINLY SLICED (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)

USING A SHARP KNIFE, SPLIT THE ITALIAN BREAD IN HALF HORIZONTALLY LIKE A LARGE HAMBURGER BUN. WITH CUT SIDES UP, DIVIDE THE OLIVE SALAD BETWEEN THE HALVES OF BREAD USING SOME OF THE OLIVE OIL FROM THE SALAD TO WET THE BREAD. EVENLY LAYER THE SLICED MEATS AND CHEESES ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE BREAD. COVER WITH THE TOP HALF AND CUT INTO FOUR EQUAL PORTIONS. SERVES TWO

SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO PUT THE SANDWICH ON A COOKIE SHEET AND WARM IT IN THE OVEN AT ABOUT 350* FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES UNTIL THE CHEESES MELT. BUT THE PUREST AND ORIGINAL WAY IS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE! THIS IS A WONSERFUL SANDWICH ESPECIALLY FOR PICNICS OR PARADE WATCHING IN NEW ORLEANS!! ENJOY!!