Cast Iron Muffuletta Pizza

Bring a taste of New Orleans home with this pizza which is inspired by their iconic sandwich which has the perfect combination of savory meats, melty cheese, and a sharp olive salad known as giardiniera.  Giardiniera is a mix of pickled vegetables that commonly include carrots, cauliflower, bell peppers, celery, and onions. You can purchase either a spicy or mild variety.

This makes a delicious 14-inch pizza which I cooked on my Lodge cast iron pizza pan.

1 lb. prepared pizza dough (I purchased mine at Publix)

1 cup pitted kalamata olives, drained and finely chopped

1 cup giardiniera, drained and finely chopped

1 cup chopped smoked ham

1 cup chopped salami

1/2 cup Alfredo sauce (I used Newman's Own brand)

2 cups shredded provolone cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Garnish:  fresh oregano 

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.

Lightly dust a 14 inch cast iron pizza pan with flour.  Using floured hands, gently stretch pizza dough to cover bottom and press 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan.  Cover and let stand for 10 minutes.  Uncover crust.

Bake for 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine olives, giardiniera, ham, and salami.  Spread Alfredo sauce onto crust, leaving a 1/2 inch border.  Sprinkle olive mixture onto sauce; add half of the cheeses.

Bake until crust lightly browned, about 12 minutes.  Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more. Garnish with oregano if desired.

From Southern Cast Iron May/June 2019