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The Muffuletta is a hearty, round Italian-American sandwich originating from New Orleans, Louisiana. It is built on a large, flat sesame-seed loaf and famously layered with a variety of cured meats like ham, salami, and mortadella, along with provolone cheese and a signature chopped olive salad.
This is a calorie-dense sandwich, typically high in fat and protein due to the generous amounts of cured meats and cheese. A single serving can range from 700 to over 1,000 calories, providing substantial protein but also significant sodium and saturated fat.
The Muffuletta's unique identity comes from its olive salad, which marinates and melds the flavors of the sandwich over time, making it famously delicious even when served at room temperature. It was created by Italian immigrants at Central Grocery in the French Quarter in the early 1900s and has since become an iconic symbol of New Orleans' culinary melting pot.