Description
The Chopped Italian Sandwich is a flavorful and easy-to-make sandwich featuring a medley of bold Italian cured meats, fresh vegetables, provolone cheese, and a tangy oil and vinegar dressing. Perfectly chopped and tossed together, it offers a balanced blend of savory, spicy, and tangy tastes within a crusty Italian bread or hoagie roll. Ideal for lunch, dinner, picnics, or meal prep, this sandwich is customizable and packed with fresh, nutritious ingredients.
Ingredients
Italian Cured Meats
- Salami, 2 oz, sliced or chopped
- Capicola, 2 oz, sliced or chopped
- Pepperoni, 2 oz, sliced or chopped
Cheese
- Provolone cheese, 4 oz, chopped or sliced
Fresh Vegetables
- Lettuce, 1 cup, finely chopped
- Tomato, 1 medium, finely chopped
- Red onions, 1 small, finely chopped
- Pepperoncini, 4-5 slices, finely chopped
Dressing
- Extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp
- Red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp
- Italian seasoning, 1 tsp
- Salt, pinch
- Freshly ground black pepper, pinch
Bread
- Crusty Italian bread or hoagie rolls, 2 rolls
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and finely chop the lettuce, tomato, red onions, and pepperoncini. This chopped mixture will form the fresh, crisp layer that balances the rich flavors of the meats.
- Chop the Italian Meats: Slice or roughly chop the salami, capicola, and pepperoni into bite-sized pieces to ensure every bite bursts with smoky, savory flavor.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a simple vinaigrette that ties all ingredients together.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the chopped vegetables, meats, and provolone cheese with the dressing. Make sure everything is evenly coated for maximum flavor and texture.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Slice the crusty Italian bread or hoagie rolls open and generously fill them with the chopped mixture. Press lightly to compact and serve immediately, or wrap for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Fresh ingredients matter: Use the freshest vegetables and the highest quality cured meats for the best flavor and crunch.
- Don’t overdress: Toss the ingredients lightly with the dressing to prevent soggy bread.
- Chop evenly: Keep bite sizes uniform for easier eating and balanced flavor in every bite.
- Toast the bread: Lightly toasting the bread enhances flavor and adds a pleasant crunch.
- Chill before serving: Let the chopped mixture sit in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required (optional toasting)
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg