I HAD EATEN a muffuletta many times, and over several visits to New Orleans, before I actually understood the real purpose of the giant, bready, sesame-crusted wheel stuffed with salumi, cheese and olive salad. Soon after Hurricane Katrina, my husband, his aunt, uncle and I went down to New Orleans to volunteer. We were helping a family rebuild their home, and we made a routine of picking up the formidable sandwiches in the mornings before heading to the work site.

After hours of hammering, painting and hanging drywall, we looked forward to the midday break when we sat on the porch and each dove into a quarter wedge. That's when it hit me: This sandwich is the perfect two-fisted workman's lunch—portable and hearty.

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Source: http://www.wsj.com/