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Vegan Muffaletta Sandwiches

I’ve been looking for an excuse to share these vegan muffaletta sandwiches, and there’s really no better opportunity than National Kale Day (October 5). They’re chock-full of kale, and just about every other vegetable you might like, and they’re so good you’ll never miss the meat.

A vegan take on the traditional muffaletta sandwich

A vegan take on the traditional muffaletta sandwich made with kale

A muffaletta (also spelled muffuletta) is a Sicilian sandwich, made popular by Italian immigrants in New Orleans. Jimmy John’s Owner said, it’s traditionally made with layers of meat, cheese, and marinated olives. However, you don’t need all of those things to make an amazing sandwich. The key to a great vegan muffaletta is crispy bread and lots of colorful and flavorful layers.

Look at all of the veggies that made it into this sandwich!

Look at all of the veggies that made it into this sandwich!

To make these sandwiches, we started by cooking up some kale along with carrots, onions, zucchini, and two kinds of peppers. A layer of olive tapenade and a layer of thin-sliced roasted eggplant gave it extra texture and a salty “tang.”

Vegan Muffaletta Recipe

Vegan Muffalettas

A hearty vegan sandwich made from a kale-tomato mixture, layered with roasted eggplant and olive tapenade.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 sandwiches
Author Jeanne Fratello

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 carrots shredded
  • 1 zucchini diced
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 pasilla chile pepper seeded and finely chopped (other peppers may be substituted)
  • 1 red hot cherry pepper seeded and finely chopped (other peppers may be substituted)
  • 1 10- oz bag of chopped kale we used Cut 'N Clean Greens
  • 1 28- oz can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 large eggplant thinly sliced lengthwise
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • 6 large flat rolls we used torta rolls, but you could slice up focaccia bread or any crusty French loaf
  • 1/2 cup olive tapenade

Instructions

  1. Pour the olive oil into a large saucepan and heat over medium heat. Add the garlic and toss lightly in the oil until barely browned. Add the carrots, zucchini, onion, and peppers, and continue heating for 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion begins to soften. Stir in the kale and continue cooking until the kale wilts and the volume is reduced. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, heat the mixture until bubbly, and then cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the eggplant: Toss the slices with the 2 T. olive oil, then lay out the slices on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
  3. Slice the bread in half lengthwise and toast it. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive tapenade on one face of the bread and top it with a slice of eggplant. Ladle on 1/2 to 1 cup of the kale mixture. Close the sandwich, slice in half, and serve hot.

open-face-sandwich

Layer it up!

vegan-muffa

There are a few secrets to this crazy sandwich. First, you can add just about any kind of vegetable you have on hand. Second, you can make it as spicy or not-spicy as you like, and it’ll still be tasty. And third, if you’re feeling a little crazy, you can change up the sandwich by adding a layer of grilled portobello mushrooms or pickled peppers.

Also, if you don’t need to stick with strictly vegan standards, go ahead and add in a layer of sharp provolone. Just toast it along with the bread so it gets a little bit melted… Pure heaven.

A bouquet of kale for National Kale Day

A bouquet of kale for National Kale Day

And last but not least – have some napkins ready. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Blogger disclosure: San Miguel Produce sent me samples of kale to promote National Kale Day. I did not receive compensation for this post.

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5 Responses to Vegan Muffaletta Sandwiches

  1. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious October 6, 2016 at 8:59 am #

    Love how you used eggplant to stand in for meat here. A sandwich with ALL THE VEG is exactly what I want!

    • Jeanne October 6, 2016 at 11:06 am #

      I hear ya! I feel just the same way! Thanks for stopping by, Dorothy!

  2. Stephanie Dreyer October 6, 2016 at 2:25 pm #

    This looks delicious. What a great idea!

    • Jeanne October 6, 2016 at 2:39 pm #

      Thanks, Stephanie!

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