Italian Submarine Sandwich

Instructions

1. Prepare the dressing
   In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Set aside to allow flavors to meld while assembling the sandwich.
2. Prepare the bread
   Slice the Italian bread loaf or sub rolls lengthwise, leaving one side connected. If desired, you can hollow out some of the bread from the top half to make more room for fillings. Toast the bread lightly in a 350°F oven for 3-5 minutes if you prefer a crispier sandwich.
3. Layer the cheeses and meats
   Arrange the provolone cheese slices on the bottom half of the bread. Layer the meats in this order: salami, capicola, and mortadella. This arrangement helps create the traditional Italian sub flavor profile and prevents the bread from getting soggy.
4. Add the vegetables
   Top the meats with sliced tomatoes, red onions, shredded lettuce, and pepperoncini. Make sure to distribute the vegetables evenly for balanced flavor in every bite.
5. Dress and finish the sandwich
   Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetables, focusing mostly on the lettuce. Season with a final touch of salt and pepper if desired. Carefully close the sandwich, pressing down slightly to compact the ingredients.
6. Cut and serve
   Using a sharp knife, cut the sandwich into 4 equal portions. For the best flavor, wrap each portion tightly in wax paper or parchment paper and let sit for about 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend together and the dressing to permeate the ingredients.