THE MUFFALETTA! - [muhf-fuh-LEHT-tuh]

The Muffaletta is a Southern dish, with Italian ingredients, served in the French Quarter of an American melting pot famous for it's Creole, Spanish and African cultures, better known as New Orleans. Now there's a mouth full!!

photo by lepetitechef.com

A staple in New Orleans since the early 1900s, the legendary Muffaletta was created at Decatur Street's Central Grocery, still standing today. 

Muffuletta is actually a Sicilian word for a special round loaf of bread, baked so that the center is hollow and can be stuffed. Since a real one is hard to find in the U.S., Muffulettas are usually made with a round Italian loaf  that you cab hollow out yourself.

The olive salad is what sets the Muffuletta apart from other sandwiches. Instead of mustard or mayo, these three ingredients: green olives, black olives, and chopped vegetables are factors that elevate the "Muff" to a level of it's very own.

Here's a Muffaletta recipe sent to S365 earlier this month by Lynn at her blog "The Life Of A Foodie and Her Family"  (photo not included): Click to see recipe