This warm panuozzo sandwich is developing a cult farmer’s market following in Cork
We would happily eat one of these for lunch forevermore.
If you haven’t yet discovered a panuozzo, it’s time to change that. Think of it as a giant, loaf-shaped sandwich straight from Gragnano, just outside Naples, Italy.
In Cork, your go-to is I Monsù Market, the ultimate spot for authentic Italian bites, run by Christian Spaccomonti. He pops up at a different farmers’ market each day (10 a.m., Tuesday to Saturday), bringing a slice of Italy wherever he goes (honestly, try his fresh pasta and Italian donuts).
But it’s his panuozzo that has people car pooling from the office at lunchtime in search of a little taste of Italy.
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Christian’s secret? Special dough that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and pillowy soft inside, stuffed with top-quality Italian and Irish ingredients, then baked again so all the flavours meld together. The result is a panuozzo that’s basically an Italian party in your mouth.
There are six flavour combos to choose from, plus a special.
For the carnivores, we recommend one of their bestsellers: the Porchetta & Patate, made with local free range pork and artisanal porchetta, stuffed inside a long-fermented Italian roll alongside some rosemary roast potatoes, olive oil, smoke scamorza cheese and Ballymaloe Mayo.
If it’s a veggie lunch you’re craving, try the Melanzane E Pomodori (€11) – a base of sundried tomato pesto, sautéed aubergines with baby plum tomatoes, ricotta cheese, fresh basil, mixed leaves, shaved parmesan and mozzarella, all oozing out of a crisp, freshly baked roll.
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There’s a simple ham and cheese that’ll satisfy the kids, plus a Pastrami E Krauti – pastrami with sauerkraut, spring onions, Ballymaloe Relish and mayo, finished with mature white cheddar cheese.
Get your hands on an I Monsù Market panuozzo on Tuesdays at Wilton Farmer’s Market, on Thursday at Mahon Point Market, and on Fridays at Clonakilty Market.
If you ordered a second sandwich to take home for dinner later we wouldn’t judge.
