Everyone in my family loves the iconic muffuletta from Central Grocery in New Orleans. I make a similar one at home fairly often. Last year I served it on a ghost bun and called it a BOO-fuletta at my annual Halloween BOO-ffet. It was quickly devoured by an assorted mix of ghosts, goblins, witches, and other costumed guests, and I plan to serve it every year from now on because it was °so popular.

The olive salad can be made ahead and frozen, if necessary. The ghost bun can also be made ahead and frozen. Take it out the morning of the party and let it thaw. Put it on a baking sheet and bake at 350° until crisp. Remember, no Muffuletta worth eating is served on a soft or soggy bun. You can assemble this sandwich a few hours before your guests come. Wrap it in parchment rather than plastic wrap so it keeps its crispness.

36 Appetizer Servings

Olive Salad:
1 1/3 cups green olives, chopped
1/4 cup pimento, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
2 tablespoons capers
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

1 BOO-fuletta Ghost loaf (1 large ghost or 2 smaller ones – your preference)

1/2 pound salami slices, or pepperoni slices
1/2 pound thinly sliced ham
1/2 pound sliced provolone cheese

1. Mix all of the olive salad ingredients and let sit at least 2 hours. This can be made 1 month ahead and stored in a jar in the refrigerator or frozen for longer storage.
2. Slice the ghost loaf horizontally making two halves (or four if you make 2 smaller sandwiches). Remove about a half inch of the bread from each of the halves. Fill the hollowed out areas with olive salad in each side.
3. Layer the salami or pepperoni, ham, and provolone cheese on the bottom loaf. Top with the sesame seed layer and press down.
4. Cover loosely (to eliminate sogginess - I use parchment so the sandwich can breathe) and refrigerate at least 2 or up to 8 hours before serving.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 140 Calories from Fat 83
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 59% Protein 14% Carb. 26%

Nutrient Amount per Appetizer Serving % Daily

Total Fat 9 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 11 mg
Sodium 421 mg
Total Carbohydrate 9 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 5 g

Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 6% Calcium 0% Iron 3%

BOO-fuletta Loaf


Dough:
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon dry yeast

Topping:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 Pepperoni or Salami slices for eyes

1. Place the dough ingredients in the pan of an automatic bread machine in the order given. Let the machine run for 10 minutes. If the dough is stiff, add additional water; if the dough is soft and won't shape into a ball, add additional flour.
2. When the cycle has finished, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface, preferably a pastry cloth or non-tick silicone mat. Shape the loaf into a ghost (see photo).
3. Smear olive oil over the surface of a baking sheet and place the ghost on top. Smear olive oil over the surface of the ghost and sprinkle with sesame seeds and press a pepperoni slice into the top of the ghost for eyes.
4. Cover with a light towel and let rise until doubled in bulk.
5. Preheat oven to 400°, spray the ghost with water, and when heated, bake the ghost loaf 35-45 minutes or until golden brown. Do not underbake.
6. Cool thoroughly and use for the BOO-fuletta above.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 165 Calories from Fat 46
Percent Total Calories From:
Fat 28% Protein 10% Carb. 63%

Nutrient Amount per Serving

Total Fat 5 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 292 mg
Total Carbohydrate 26 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g 1
Sugars 0 g
Protein 4 g

Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 0% Iron 3%