Description
The Italian Christmas Sub is a festive and flavorful sandwich built on a large Italian hoagie roll, layered with classic Italian cold cuts like salami, capicola, and mortadella, complemented by provolone cheese and fresh vegetables. A tangy oregano vinaigrette ties the flavors together, making it an ideal no-cook, make-ahead dish for holiday gatherings or a hearty lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Sandwich
- 1 large Italian hoagie roll or sub bun
- 4 oz sliced salami
- 4 oz sliced capicola
- 4 oz sliced mortadella
- 4 oz sliced provolone cheese
- 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 ripe tomato, sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup sliced roasted red peppers
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the Hoagie Roll: Start by slicing the Italian hoagie roll in half lengthwise, making sure not to cut all the way through so it stays hinged for easier layering.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, and salt and pepper to taste to create a flavorful oregano vinaigrette.
- Apply the Dressing: Drizzle half of the dressing onto the inside surface of each side of the hoagie roll, ensuring the bread absorbs the dressing for enhanced flavor.
- Layer the Meats: Begin layering the sandwich with the salami first, followed evenly by the capicola, and then the mortadella, distributing the meats to cover the bread thoroughly.
- Add the Cheese: Place the sliced provolone cheese over the meats, allowing the slices to slightly overlap for full coverage.
- Add Crunch with Lettuce: Add a generous handful of shredded romaine lettuce over the cheese to introduce a fresh crisp texture.
- Layer the Vegetables: Arrange the sliced tomato, red onion, roasted red peppers, and black olives neatly on top of the lettuce for color and flavor complexity.
- Drizzle Remaining Dressing: Pour the remaining dressing over the layered vegetables, enhancing the taste with tang and herbaceous notes.
- Add Basil Leaves: If desired, tuck fresh basil leaves on top for a fragrant herbal accent that complements the other ingredients.
- Close and Press: Carefully close the sandwich and press down gently to compact all ingredients, making it easier to handle and eat.
- Wrap and Rest: Wrap the sub tightly in parchment paper or foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together harmoniously.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the sandwich into halves or quarters as preferred and serve with your favorite side dish.
Notes
- This sub is best served after resting to allow the dressing to soak in and the flavors to meld.
- If you prefer a warm sandwich, you can lightly toast the hoagie roll before assembling.
- Feel free to substitute or add other Italian meats or cheeses to customize the sub.
- The dressing can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this sub gluten-free, use a gluten-free sub roll.
