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

Traditional fare like jambalaya, crayfish étouffée, grilled oysters, shrimp Creole, blackened fish and, at lunch, muffuletta and po’ boy sandwiches, are also served.

From New York Times • May 24, 2022

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

Alfano worked briefly in New Orleans, where she became acquainted with Central Grocery, the French Quarter market that claims to have invented the muffuletta, that antipasti plate crammed into one glorious sandwich.

From Washington Post