Skip to main content
Epicurious
Cookbooks

Muffuletta Variation with Ricotta, Anchovies, and Olive Oil

It seems that the muffuletta sandwich originated in Sicily, set on what most likely was flatbread sprinkled with sesame seeds. And since the Sicilians were the first mass wave of immigration to the port of New Orleans, it would seem that the soft sesame-seed bread of the muffuletta is an American cousin of the bread of the pane ca’ meusa (spleen sandwich) still sold in Palermo markets today. This meatless rendition of the muffuletta was made on All Souls Day; the one with the cold cuts and salad is served on more festive days.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

Two 8-inch rounds of muffuletta bread, split open
1 1/2 cups fresh ricotta, drained
8 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

  1. Lay the bottom halves of the muffuletta bread, cut side up, on a work surface. Spread each with half of the fresh ricotta, and line half of the anchovies over each top. Drizzle with olive oil, and top with the remaining tops of bread. Cut into four wedges.

Cover of the cookbook featuring the author with a table full of fresh herbs and vegetables.
Reprinted with permission from Lidia's Italy in America by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali. Copyright © 2011 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.
TagsSandwichItalianEuropeanRicottaCheeseDairyAnchovyFishSeafoodMainLunchNut FreeEasyQuickWeeknight Meals30 Minutes or LessNo-CookFallCookbooks
Read More
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Ratatouille
A one-pot celebration of summer vegetables.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in June
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.
Grilled Salmon With Dill Chimichurri
Grilling fish atop a bed of lemon slices is the key to not sticking.
Sofrito Bolognese
An ex-boyfriend’s mom—who emigrated from Colombia—made the best meat sauce—she would fry sofrito for the base and simply add cooked ground beef, sazón, and jarred tomato sauce. My version is a bit more bougie—it calls for caramelized tomato paste and white wine—but the result is just as good.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in May
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
Tiny Tomato Galettes
With a crisp crust, garlicky mayo, and a juicy slice of tomato.