We’ve all seen the TikTok Viral Chopped Italian Salad Sandwich. I’ve adapted a recipe by Sparkles to Sprinkles and Everything in Between Blog, if you would like to see the original, click here.

I’ve made it vegan!

Rejoice!!

Now, when we’re talking grocery store vegan deli-style meats, there’s several, and even more, if you live in an area with a Vegan Butcher. I’m lucky to live in an area where I have both options. I’m sure that these options would work incredibly in this adaptation recipe, however, all of these options are expensive and not something I indulge in, regularly. Instead, I have chosen to use vegan provolone cheese, vegan mayonnaise and the humble, chickpea. I promise you, the flavor is there! It’s absolutely amazing.

For us, it’s vital to have a vegan option, because I am predominately vegetarian, my daughter is transitioning to vegan and both, my youngest sister and Brother-In-Law, are allergic to lactic acid, whey and anything milk-based. I think that this adaptation of the TikTok Viral Chopped Italian Sandwich and recipe by Sparkles to Sprinkles and Everything in Between Blog, does the recipe justice and provides a fun and dairy-free, vegan option.

Italian Style Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich, an adaptation recipe (serves 4)

• 1 15oz can Chickpeas, drained and roughly smashed
• 1 cup Lettuce or Leafy Green of Choice, shredded
• 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced or 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 a large Red Onion, diced
• 6 slices of Vegan Provolone (like Dayia, Chao, Violife, or Follow Your Heart), roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 4-8 Banana Pepper Rings, roughly chopped
• 2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Vegan Mayonnaise (like Hellmann’s, Follow Your Heart, Primal Kitchen, etc.)
• 2 tsp Submarine Sandwich Oil or your favorite Vegan Italian Dressing
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning Blend
• Salt and Ground Pepper, to taste

Let’s get this salad together and start eating…

1. In a large bowl, add your chickpeas and smash with a potato masher or a potato ricer on the largest setting. The goal of mashing the chickpeas in this way is to retain some texture.
2. Next, shred the lettuce, dice the onion, tomatoes, banana pepper rings, and roughly chop the vegan provolone. Add all items to the bowl with the chickpeas.
3. Then measure and add vegan mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, sub oil and Italian seasoning blend, directly into the bowl.
4. Mix well, sample and add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve this stunning mashed chickpea salad on your favorite sub roll, sandwich bread or however you like. Try toasting the bread, smear with vegan butter, then vegan mayo and adding more toppings to your sandwich, though they aren’t needed.

Enjoy!!

Special thanks to Sparkles to Sprinkles and Everything in Between Blog for allowing me to adapt their already amazing recipe. Please make sure to check out the original TikTok Viral Chopped Italian Sandwich and the whole blog, here!