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.
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Across Europe, particularly in France and Italy, the tradition of Mardi Gras, Martedi Grasso or Carnival has provided a festive prelude to Lenten fasting for hundreds of years. The ancient celebration originated as a last night of eating rich, fatty foods before forswearing them for the next forty days. In fact, the very word carnival comes from the Latin “Carne vale”, meaning “farewell to meat”.
Divina Muffuletta Salad is inspired both by the distinct, fresh ingredients of the original Muffuletta sandwich and the bold spirit of cultural exchange and culinary innovation that went into its creation. This Mardi Gras, we’re celebrating with a new, creative use of our Muffuletta Mix by cooking up these delicious Muffuletta pizzas with provolone and salami. Happy Mardi Gras and laissez les bon temps rouler!
Another American tradition born in the French Quarter, the Muffuletta sandwich is a true New Orleans classic and an important part of any Mardi Gras party. This legendary sandwich was invented at one of the city’s oldest markets, the Central Grocery. Sicilian immigrants working at the nearby farmer’s market would buy salami, ham, cheese, olive salad and Muffuletta bread (a soft round loaf that the sandwich takes its name from) and eat them separately. The owner of the grocery suggested they cut the bread and combine all of the various antipasti inside like a sandwich, and the Muffuletta sandwich was born.
Most of these immigrants settled in and quickly set up shop close to the busy French Market. This densely populated and thriving section of the lower French Quarter was referred to as “Little Palermo” and the “Italian Sector,” and was home to a multitude of small shops and businesses. These included several Sicilian bread bakers, who baked a traditional Sicilian loaf called the “muffuletto.” These early bread bakers often sold their wares on the street, yelling “muffuletto, caldo, caldo.” Bakers also sold their loaves wholesale to grocers.
The muffaletta is one of New Orleans’ most iconic and identifiable dishes. Made on large rounds of sesame bread and layered with olive salad, genoa salami, ham, mortadella, provolone and Swiss cheese, the muffaletta is clearly Italian in spirit and yet no such sandwich exists in Italy. Instead, it is the creation of Sicilian immigrants who arrived en masse to the Port of New Orleans from the Port of Palermo in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. These new inhabitants brought with them strong customs and recipes that were joined with already vibrant local food traditions and ingredients.
One such grocer was Mr. Salvatore Lupo, of Central Grocery store, who is widely credited with making the first muffaletta sandwich in 1906. According to his daughter, Marie Lupo Tusa, farmers would stop in at her father’s shop at lunchtime, buy a loaf of muffuletto bread, sliced cold cuts, olives and cheese, and eat them standing up or balanced on their laps. In order to make it easier for customers to hold everything, Mr. Lupo decided to put all the ingredients together on a sandwich. The sandwich was not called by the name “muffaletta” at first, but eventually, the name of the bread carried over to the name of the sandwich.
The Muffuletta: How This Gigantic New Orleans Sandwich Was Born | Good Gumbo
FAQ
Where was the muffuletta sandwich invented?
What does muffaletta mean in Italian?
What is the Louisiana state sandwich?
What is the difference between Giardiniera and muffuletta?
Where did the muffuletta sandwich come from?
This legendary sandwich was invented at one of the city’s oldest markets, the Central Grocery. Sicilian immigrants working at the nearby farmer’s market would buy salami, ham, cheese, olive salad and Muffuletta bread (a soft round loaf that the sandwich takes its name from) and eat them separately.
Where did muffuletta bread come from?
The muffuletta bread has origins in Sicily. 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.
What is a muffaletta sandwich?
The muffaletta is no ordinary sandwich, that’s for sure. Made on large rounds of soft, fluffy sesame bread, the sandwich is cut horizontally and covered with layers of olive salad, genoa salami, ham, mortadella, provolone, and Swiss cheese (the exact ingredients may vary depending on who you buy your sandwich from). Is your mouth watering yet?
Who made the first muffaletta sandwich?
These early bread bakers often sold their wares on the street, yelling “muffuletto, caldo, caldo.” Bakers also sold their loaves wholesale to grocers. One such grocer was Mr. Salvatore Lupo, of Central Grocery store, who is widely credited with making the first muffaletta sandwich in 1906.