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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Muffaletta Loaves & Vege Sandwich

A New Orleans inspired vegetarian version of the famous meat-packed Muffaletta sandwich.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Main Course, Meatless Main
Cuisine: New Orleans
Keyword: Bread, sandwich, vegetarian
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 519kcal
Author: Tricia

Ingredients

For the Muffaletta Loaves:

  • For the starter:
  • ½ cup water room temperature
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • teaspoon active dry yeast
  • For the dough:
  • All of the starter listed above
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup water room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
  • For the garnish:
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 egg white
  • sesame seeds

For the Sandwich:

  • 1 small eggplant cut into ½ inch thick slices
  • 1 large red bell pepper quartered lengthwise
  • 1 medium zucchini sliced lengthwise into 4 slices
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 6 slices provolone cheese
  • 1 cup of chopped and slices olives and peppers from an olive bar at your local grocery store
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini or banana peppers
  • 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

Instructions

For the Muffaletta Loaves:

  • To make the starter place the ½ cup of water, 1 cup flour and ⅛ teaspoon yeast in a small mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature overnight for if making the starter in the morning, allow it to rest for about 10 hours before making the dough (which also rests overnight).
  • Combine the dough ingredients in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Using a spatula, combine the ingredients until they just come together. Attach the dough hook to the mixer and mix until the dough is somewhat smooth but slightly rough. Cover the dough with a lightly greased piece of plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm spot for about 3 hours. After 1 hour gently deflate the dough and turn it over. Cover again and continuing to let is rise for 2 more house.
  • Line a large baking sheet parchment paper and set aside.
  • Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured work surface. Form the dough into one 14-inch round or cut it into 3 or 4 equal pieces. Form each into 6-inch rounds and place them on the parchment line baking sheet.
  • Lightly spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and completely cover the loaf/loaves. Place the pan in the refrigerator and allow them to rest overnight.
  • We ready to bake, remove the loaves from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature about about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Mix ½ cup of water with the egg white and brush it on the loaves. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and gently press to adhere.
  • Bake for 25-30 minute or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack and cool.

For the Sandwich:

  • Preheat grill on high.
  • Toss the eggplant, zucchini and red pepper with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables until each is charred on both sides. Remove from the heat. Slice the red pepper into thin strips and the zucchini slices in half.
  • Slice the muffaletta (or ciabatta) loaves in half and layer with the provolone slices, one on the top, one on the bottom.
  • Mix together the olives, peppers and vinegar.
  • Set aside the egg plant, 6 pieces of the zucchini and about half the red pepper slices.
  • Chop the remaining vegetables and add them to the olive mixture.
  • Divide the olive and vegetable mixture among the cheese covered rolls. Divide the whole sliced eggplant, zucchini and red peppers on top of the olive mixture. Top with the second slice of cheese and the top of the roll. Cut in half or fourths and serve immediately.

Notes

  • *For the Muffaletta Loaves, the preparation time does not include resting and rising times. I made the starter on Saturday morning and 8 hours later made the dough. After the 3 hour rise I formed the loaves and placed in the refrigerator overnight. I baked the loaves on Sunday around noon.
  • Muffaletta Loaves recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour
  • Muffaletta Vege Sandwich recipe adapted from May/June 2015 Eating Well Magazine
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 1188mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 977IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 5mg