muffuletta

American  

[muhf-uh-let-uh] / ˌmʌf əˈlɛt ə /

Or muffaletta

noun

1. a thick, round sandwich similar to a hero, typically containing ham, salami, and cheeses and topped with an olive salad, a specialty of New Orleans.

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Etymology

Origin of muffuletta

First recorded in 1965–70; from Sicilian dialect, from Italian muffoletta “a round hollow-centered loaf of bread,” derivative of muffola “mitten,” from French moufle; muff ( def. ), muffle ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Of Sicilian origin, muffuletta is actually the name of the Italian bread that holds the virtual charcuterie board of ingredients that make up this massive sandwich together.

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2023

Forgive me while I tear into borek, a bready turban veined with shredded boiled chicken, sweet carrots and bell peppers and as weighty an icon as a muffuletta.

From Washington Post • Feb. 24, 2021

The muffuletta, made with prosciutto, capicola, shaved Parmesan, and olive salad, could easily be mistaken for an extra-spicy Italian combo.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 29, 2018

Meat-lovers will appreciate the Voldemortadella, layered with mortadella, salami, Black Forest ham on herbed olive muffuletta.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2016

And there are what we call "singulars," which are those creations on bread that falls outside these other groups but are still vital to the sandwich landscape, like the muffuletta.

From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2015