Italian Pressed Sandwich

Italian Pressed Sandwich

Ingredients

Sandwich

  • 1 large round loaf of Italian bread (preferably a country-style loaf or ciabatta)

  • ½ pound thinly sliced salami

  • ½ pound thinly sliced mortadella

  • ½ pound thinly sliced capicola

  • ½ pound thinly sliced provolone cheese

  • ½ pound thinly sliced mozzarella cheese

  • 2 cups premade olive salad

  • ½ cup sliced pepperoncini (pickled Italian peppers)

Directions

  1. Prepare the Bread:
    - Slice the loaf of bread horizontally in half. Scoop out some of the soft interior from both halves to create space for the fillings.

  2. Assemble the Sandwich:
    - Spread about 1 cup of the premade olive salad on the bottom half of the bread.
    - Layer the salami, mortadella, capicola, provolone, and mozzarella on top of the olive salad.
    - Evenly distribute the sliced pepperoncini over the layers of meat and cheese.
    - Spread the remaining 1 cup of the premade olive salad on the top half of the bread and place it on top of the sandwich.

  3. Press the Sandwich:
    - Wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
    - Place the wrapped sandwich in the refrigerator and weigh it down with a heavy object (such as a cast-iron skillet or a brick wrapped in foil) for at least 2 hours, or overnight. This will help the flavors meld and the sandwich compact.

  4. Serve:
    - Unwrap the sandwich and slice it into wedges.
    - Serve at room temperature, allowing the flavors to fully develop.

Suggested Pairing & Notes: HALL Ellie's Cabernet Sauvignon

Flavor Intensity:

  • The bold, savory flavors of the meats (salami, mortadella, capicola) and cheeses (provolone, mozzarella) match the dense and vibrant character of the Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine's robust blackcurrant and violet notes complement the rich, cured flavors of the meats.

Aromatic Complexity:

  • The premade olive salad's briny, tangy components, along with the added pepperoncini, enhance the wine's aromatic profile, highlighting the notes of crushed sage.

  • The sandwich's creamy cheeses and silky meats align with the wine's extra silky tannins, creating a smooth and enjoyable mouthfeel. The slight chewiness of the bread adds a satisfying contrast to the wine's texture.

Balancing Act:

  • The acidity of the olive salad and pepperoncini balances the wine's rich fruitiness and oak influences, preventing either the food or the wine from overwhelming the palate.

Finish and Persistence:

  • The long and juicy finish of the Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with the lasting flavors of the Italian pressed sandwich, making each bite and sip a continued exploration of complex flavors.

This Italian pressed sandwich, with its robust and balanced flavors, provides a perfect match for the dense and vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon, ensuring a delightful and harmonious culinary experience. Enjoy!