Karen's Muffaletta

The definitive ingredient of the famous New Orleans Muffalletta sandwich is made right here in Vermont. And we've been selling this outstanding condiment since it first arrived on the scene back in the mid 90's.

Karen's story of how she got into the food business has a typical ring. She was struggling to maintain a hectic business travel schedule which she and her husband shared, along with the demands of a new baby daughter when they decided to chuck it all and start a catering business.

And believe it or not, one of her busiest gigs were Phish concerts (the band from Burlington, VT). On a New Orleans kick at the time, she would serve a ton of Gumbo at the concerts and found that Muffaletta was a great complement. A number of customers then began asking if she sold her Muffaletta in stores. The answer, "no way"; Vermont she reasoned, was only about maple syrup and jams.

Then she had some leftover Muffaletta from a festival one summer and decided to see if it might fly at the local farmer's market in Rutland. She sold out in one hour. Karen quickly reconsidered the Vermont specialty food business. Then she began selling it to the local Rutland Food Coop. Thank goodness!!

As food coops talked to other food coops (it's a small state), Karen started to make the drive from Rutland to White River Jct, passing by the Woodstock Farmers' Market. That's how we got to know Karen. WFM and a handful of stores in the central Vermont area quickly developed a reliable outlet for her product. It was true small beginnings: Karen made all the deliveries, with toddler in toe. And we got to watch her daughter grow too!

One taste of the blended olives, garlic and herbs and olive oil will make you understand why this is by far our top selling condiment. Even our food grazing staff (ever-grazing staff) has voted this a top-ten product they couldn't live without on a desert island! Here at the Market we pair this with cheese and crackers and slather scoops onto sandwiches, pasta, salads…just about anything. Whether you're putting together elegant hors d' oeuvres or even sneaking a bite right out of the jar (Go ahead, we won't tell!), Karen's Muffaletta, using stand-out ingredients and creating noteworthy flavor, simply will not disappoint.

Size: 16oz