Foodily

May 21, 2021
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Growing up in New Jersey I, like most of my NJ compatriots, developed a deep love for heroes. No, not the ones clad in capes and spandex, but the huge sandwiches (or subs as they’re called out of state) that you would order from your local Italian restaurant. The king of all the various filling options was the eponymous Italian Hero, a sandwich filled to the brim with all manner of cured meat, cheese, and refreshingly crisp vegetables. They’re also the ultimate party food, perfect to pair with wings, chips, and a cold beer.

Sure, the meats were a huge part of the draw, but I was really fixated on the veggies: the olives, peppers, ice cold shredded lettuce and paper thin onions, that had me craving the sandwich over and over again. With this in mind I set out to make a veggie version of this classic sandwich. We sub the meat for planks of zucchini and eggplant to offer some heartiness.

Ingredients

1/2 c.pitted green olives, such as castelvetrano or manzanilla
1/2 c.pitted dark olives, such as kalamata or niçoise
1/3 c.canned artichokes, roughly chopped
1/3 c.roasted peppers (fresh or jarred), roughly chopped
3cloves garlic, roughly chopped
3 Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp.capers
1 Tbsp.red wine vinegar

For The Sandwiches

2medium eggplants (about 1 ½ lb), sliced into ¼” planks
2medium zucchini (about 1 ¼ lb), sliced into ¼” planks
Kosher salt
9 Tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 Tbsp.soy sauce
2 tsp.oregano, divided
1 tsp.garlic powder
1 tsp.smoked paprika
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2foot long (or four 6’) Italian style sub rolls
1/4 c.red wine vinegar
1/4 lb.provolone cheese
2tomatoes thinly sliced
1small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 c.jarred peppers, such as banana, Calabrian or sweet peppers
1small head iceberg, thinly sliced
3 Tbsp.mayo, optional

Directions

For The Olive Salad

1. Step 1Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until ingredients are broken up into similar-sized small chunks. You can accomplish the same results without a food processor by finely chopping all the ingredients then stirring in the oil and red wine vinegar.
2. Step 2Season to taste with salt and pepper then refrigerate until ready to use
For The Sandwiches
1. Step 1 Set one oven-safe wire racks into each of two baking sheets. Place the eggplant slices on one, and the zucchini on the other. Salt both eggplant and zucchini slices with about 1 tablespoon salt on all sides. Let sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour. Then pat dry vegetables thoroughly with a paper towel.
2. Step 2Adjust oven racks to lower and center positions, and preheat to 425º.
3. Step 3In a large bowl, combine 5 tablespoons oil, soy sauce, 1 teaspoon oregano, garlic powder, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Toss the zucchini in the mixture until fully coated then transfer it to its rack on the baking sheet. Then toss the eggplant in the mixture and transfer it to its rack on the baking sheet.
4. Step 4Transfer the sheets (with the veggies still on their wire racks) to the oven and roast for about 20 to 25 minutes, switching the sheets halfway through, until the veggies are tender and have browned slightly. Set aside to cool.
5. Step 5Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 4 tablespoons oil, red wine vinegar and remaining 1 teaspoon oregano. (These ingredients can also be added to a squeeze bottle and shaken.)
6. Step 6Assemble the sandwiches: Slice the bread and scoop out the inner bread of only the top half of each. Sprinkle both sides of the bread with the oil and vinegar mixture.
7. Step 7Begin layering with the roasted vegetables followed by provolone. Add the tomatoes, onion, peppers, and iceberg. Spread a layer of mayo (if using) to the top half of the bread then fill the space left by scooping out the bread with olive salad.
8. Step 8Slice the sandwiches into equal portions, stab with toothpicks and serve.