08/18/2026
Time! "Mama Sharkoni's Chopped Italian Sammies"
Recipe by Sally Hughes ( , , - )
Ingredients:
4 hoagie, grinder or sub rolls OR 1 French baguette or loaf of bread
2 cups shredded Romaine lettuce
8 slices of "slicing" or "sandwich" pepperoni OR 20-24 smaller, traditional
8 slices of salami (Genoa or hard)
6 slices of good quality deli ham
6 slices of provolone cheese
6 slices of mozzarella
1/4 cup banana peppers or pepperocini (hot or mild though I definitely prefer HOT π₯ especially because the heat will get considerably diffused by the other ingredients and we want FLAVOR!)
1/4 cup pitted green olives (optional but recommended!)
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onions (optional)
1/4 cup full fat Mayonnaise
5 tablespoons of good quality Italian Dressing (+ more to taste or to drizzle on bread before filling)
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Crushed red pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions:
Cut bread / rolls length wise. Scoop out a bit of the interior to create more room for the filling. Set aside.
On a large cutting board (or protected work surface), stack / layer the meats and cheeses, and finely chop as uniformly as possible.
Set aside and chop the peppers with the olives and onions (if using) - uniformly as well.
Place all chopped ingredients in a large bowl. Add Mayo, dressing and herbs and toss until well incorporated.
Season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate 30 minutes - 1 hour (optional but it helps meld the flavors).
At this point you may lightly toast your bread / rolls if desired or prep their interior with a little more dressing or mayo.
*NOTE: I've also used a generous schmear of Hummus or Garlic and Herb Alouette with great success!)
Remove filling from fridge, toss again and press mixture into your preferred bread / rolls. Secure with picks and slice however you like.
Serves 4 as a light meal. 8 as an .
π§βπ³ NOTE: like all , this is simply a template that can be adjusted to suit your specific needs and tastes. To this end, feel free to substitute or add other ingredients that are in keeping with "the spirit of Italy" -- i.e. roasted red peppers, seeded tomatoes, artichoke hearts, shredded parmesan, sundried tomatoes, etc. -- because as long as everything is uniformly chopped, it'll be ! π
Find more via Planet Shark Food and Fitness π―π―π―