Viva L’Italia – Hooray for Italy

I was invited to attend a preview of the new menu items for Schlotzsky’s a few weeks back. I’m pretty selective about attending these events since I’m a pastry gal and most of these are a culinary experience. I agreed to attend this event because it has been a very long time since I have dined on a Schlotzsky’s sandwich and the new menu intrigued me.

Growing up in the midwest, one could say bread was a daily menu item for me. I pretty much love everything about bread. I eat it, I cook it, I enjoy it, and a fresh homemade loaf is usually always part of any gift I give someone. Growing up with white Wonder brand bread, I have seen many changes in bread over the years. And I couldn’t be more excited about the Schlotszky’s house made Italian Ciabatta roll.

They serve up three sandwiches on this roll. The Sicilian, (shaved ham, provolone cheese,  pepperoni, salami, bell peppers, olives and pepperoncini). The Caprese (mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, mayo, field greens, onions, basil pesto and a balsamic glaze). And the Tuscan (hand carved roasted turkey breast, pepper jack cheese, Roma tomato, field greens, bacon, cilantro, and chipotle aioli). Once I got over the awesomeness of these sandwiches I was excited to try the pasta dishes and the pizzas.

I must say the sandwiches are still my favorite, but with their adventurous recipes, and fresh flavor options like Tomato Basil Canestrelli, Sausage and Pepper with Goat Cheese Canestrelli, Chicken Pesto Carbonara and Bayou Chicken Canestrelli, they are pretty much serving up dishes that make me want to shout hooray for Italy!