Muffuletta Dip

By Jessica Campbell, MS, FNTP

New Orleans and the south celebrate Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. This day is celebrated after the Epiphany or King's Day when everyone eats fatty, rich dishes for the last time until lent season is over. I attended a Mardi Gras party and was in gastronomic heaven over this version of a Muffuletta dip.

The Muffuletta sandwich was brought to New Orleans by Italian immigrants, named after the round Sicilian sesame bread it is made on. The sandwich is layered with salami, mortadella, mozzarella, ham, provolone and a tasty olive salad. The olive salad is giardiniera which is pickled carrots, cauliflower and peppers all chopped together. The sandwich is often heated to melt the cheese which must be where someone decided to turn this into a hot dip.

By removing the bread, this dish becomes totally Food Foundation Detox Legit! Try it out when you have your next party to attend or host. Simply serve with fresh cut celery sticks as this dish is very rich and share the heritage food history of Mardi Gras with your friends.