Muffuletta
Bread and sandwich type
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muffuletta or muffaletta is a type of round Sicilian sesame bread,[1] as well as a popular sandwich, created by a Sicilian immigrant to the United States, that was popularized in the city of New Orleans.
- Italy (bread)
- United States (sandwich)
Clockwise from top left: muffuletta cross section; muffuletta in wrappers; muffuletta-style olive salad; and circular muffuletta loaves | |
| Alternative names | Muffaletta |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin |
|
| Region or state | |
| Main ingredients | Bread: wheat flour, water, eggs, olive oil, yeast, salt, sugar Sandwich: marinated muffuletta-style olive salad, layers of mortadella, salami, Swiss cheese, ham, provolone |
Etymology, pronunciation, and orthography
The name is believed to be a diminutive form of muffi ('mold', 'mushroom'), perhaps due to the round sandwich bread being reminiscent of a mushroom cap; more likely from mùffula, 'muff', 'mitten'.[2] Another theory suggests a possible French origin, considering that the word "mou" in French means "soft", referring to the tender and spongy texture of the bread. An alternative hypothesis points to a Saxon origin, due to the similarity with the English word "muffin", which refers to a small cake or bun, also known for its soft consistency. The forms muffoletta and its iterations are modern Italianisms of the original Sicilian. Like many of the foreign-influenced terms found in New Orleans, pronunciation has evolved from a phonetic forebear.
Depending on the specific Sicilian dialect, the item may be spelled:
The muffuletta is somewhat similar to the pan bagnat sandwich of Nice, France.[11]
History
The muffuletta sandwich is said to have been created in 1906 at Central Grocery Co. on Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S., by its delicatessen owner Salvatore Lupo, a Sicilian immigrant.[12][13] Sicilian immigrant Biaggio Montalbano, who was a delicatessen owner in New Orleans, is credited with invention of the Roma Sandwich, which may have been a forerunner of the muffuletta.[14] Another Italian-style New Orleans delicatessen, Progress Grocery Co., originally opened in 1924 by the Perrone family, claims the origin of the muffuletta is uncertain.[15]
The traditional-style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf[16] split horizontally and covered with layers of marinated muffuletta-style olive salad,[17] salami, ham, Swiss cheese, provolone, and mortadella.[18] Quarter, half, and full-sized muffulettas are sold.[19][20]
The signature olive salad is a chopped salad made from green olives, black olives, olive oil, celery, cauliflower, carrots, sweet peppers, onions, capers, parsley, peperoncini, oregano, garlic, vinegar, herbs, and spices. It is a "piquant salad" used as a spread.[21] Celery, cauliflower, and carrots are commonly found in the pickled form known as giardiniera.[22] Capers and lemon juice may also be included.[23] It is commercially produced for restaurants and for retail sale.[24]
Muffuletta is usually served cold, but many vendors will toast it.[19]
