Mediterranean Veggie Muffuletta Food

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the oil, the carrot, celery, cauliflower, oregano, thyme and 3 tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are somewhat tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a small bowl and stir in the olives, pimento and salt. Set aside to cool.
• When the olive-vegetable salad has cooled, stir in the parsley.
• Slice the bread in half lengthwise. Using your hands, scoop out the inside of each bread half to make a shallow pocket. Brush the inside of the top half with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Fill the bottom bread half with the olive-vegetable salad and pack it down with your hands. Layer the provolone, mortadella and soppressata over the salad (without letting any hang over the sides).
• Cover with the top bread half and tightly wrap the sandwich with plastic wrap. Place the sandwich on a cutting board or baking sheet and weigh it down with a heavy object, such as a cast-iron skillet, for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
• Remove the plastic wrap and cut the sandwich into fourths or sixths. Serve.

VEGETARIAN MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Cut bread in half and hollow out the bottom, leaving only the crust.
• In food processor, chop gardineira, mushrooms, artichoke hearts and olives along with marinating liquid from jars.
• Spread 1/3 of the veggie mixture on the bottom of the bread.
• Layer with provolone cheese.
• Layer of roasted peppers.
• Layer of watercress.
• Layer of veggie mixture.
• Layer of feta.
• Layer of tomatoes.
• Layer of veggie mixture.
• Top sandwich with other half of bread.
• Wrap sandwich toghtly in plastic and weight or press with a heavy pan or a pan with some cans in it.
• Chill overnight.
• Slice into wedges to serve.

MUFFULETTAS

Steps:

• Whisk the first 3 ingredients in a large bowl to blend. Gradually blend in the oil. Stir in the olives and roasted peppers. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Cut the top 1-inch of the bread loaf. Set the top aside. Hollow out the bottom and top halves of the bread. Spread some of the olive and roasted pepper mix over the bread bottom and cut side of the bread top. Layer the meats and cheeses in the bread bottom. Top with the onions, then the arugula. Spread the remaining olive and roasted pepper mix on top of the sandwich and carefully cover with the bread top. You can serve the sandwich immediately or you can wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator a day before serving.
• Cut the sandwich into wedges and serve.

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Combine the kalamata olives, green olives, basil, garlic and oil in a food processor or blender and process until coarsely chopped.
• Cut the top from the bread loaf and hollow out the center so that about 1/2 inch of crust remains. Spread olive mixture evenly over the inside of the loaf. Layer the salami, cheese, tomatoes and onion until the loaf is full.
• Replace top of bread, lightly press down and wrap tightly in plastic wrapping. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 1 day. Slice crosswise in about 1 1/2 inch pieces, and serve.

ROASTED MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Prepare a shallow roasting dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Combine potatoes, eggplant, both bell peppers, and the red onion slices and place in roasting dish.
• Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, oregano, chives, garlic and salt and pepper.
• Drizzle sauce over the mixed vegetables and toss to coat.
• Roast vegetables until tender, about 45 minutes. Stir halfway through the cooking time.