Sandwich inspired by Italy

About a year and a half ago, Dave and I were in Italy. We stayed in hostels, we bought bottles of wine for 3 euro and carried around our own corkscrew and cups so we could have a glass whenever we wanted, we got engaged. And we had the best sandwich we've ever had!

{Beautiful Positano taken from the beach}

 {Beautiful Positano taken from our balcony}

This little market in Positano had the cutest and oldest lady in the world making sandwiches behind the deli counter. Ok, I don't know if she was the oldest but she was definitely the cutest! She must have spent 50 years perfecting this sandwich b/c it was absolutely breathtaking! (Breathtaking in a good way, not in a Seinfeld kind of way..If you don't know what I'm talking about - watch this.)

We stopped in their market for wine and snacks to take to the beach that day...

 

We had our first sandwich at the beach and couldn't get enough of it! We had to walk back up the 300 steps and 2 miles uphill for another one!

Of course we brought refreshments...

 

Side note - If you decide to go to Positano for one of the delicious sandwiches, remember to bring some hand lotion b/c the ocean water is SO salty your skin will be SO dry you'll feel like you can't move! I'm serious. I asked several vendors for some lotion before deciding to make the hike back up...

And back to our regularly scheduled program, we climbed and we conquered our beverages.

And we arrived back at the little market just in time for another sandwich!

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

We got 2, some pring-didly-ingles and some more beverages and were on our way to a fantastic night!

Here's Dave enjoying the setup! 

btw - this was our own private balcony off our private room with private bath, if you're ever in need of a hostel in Positano, let me know. This one can't be beat!

I was reee-heee-heeeaaaly excited for this sandwich!

 

I may have enjoyed the sandwich and beverages a little too much...

When in Positano...

Mmmmm My mouth is watering just looking at it!

I'm talking about the sandwich... It's so good I don't even know who that guy is in the picture...

What? We had just gotten engaged? I don't care. All I care about is this sandwich!

So in a recent cooking slump, I decided to try something new. I decided to re-create the sandwich!

It's more of an inspired by option b/c I could never be as good as that little old lady, plus finding fresh prosciutto around here is a pain... so I present to you:

The Veggie Sandwich Inspired by Italy

aka - the best sandwich you'll ever eat!

Ingredients:

Hoagie bread or ciabatta whichever you have on hand

Red Bell Pepper

Orange Bell Pepper - (Thanks to Rex for sharing his home grown with us!)

Yellow Onion

Zucchini

Summer Squash

Fresh Basil

Fresh Mozzarella (sliced thinly)

Chopped Tomato

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Mayo

Cayenne Pepper

Directions:

Heat up a grill pan with about a tablespoon of olive oil in it

Saute your veggies so they get the pretty grill lines on them

Toast your hoagie or bread

While the veggies are cooking, mix together the mayo and cayenne pepper to give the sandwich a little kick!

Layer the basil and mozzarella on the tops of your bread and pop them in the oven so the cheese gets melty

Spread the now Spicy Mayo on your bread

Now add your veggies with a splash of balsamic vinegar

Smash both sides together and slip into a heavenly coma while you devour your sandwich!

Guys, I'm serious, make this sandwich! You will be SO happy you did! It tastes so good it's like discovering a new sushi roll where the flavors explode in your mouth and you can't stop thinking about it!

And back to the inspiration - We've come full circle friends! 

What are you waiting for? Go buy some veggies and get started!