Italian mompreneur Melissa Castner realized there were no gluten-free options available when she wanted to enjoy meatballs during family dinners, which prompted her to create her own mix. She relied on her background as a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner. Her gluten sensitivity is shared by many so it was a void that needed filling. Thus, Melly’s Meatball Mix was born offering options for those with and without food sensitivities.
FWM: You had Crohn’s disease as a teenager. Tell us about growing up.
As far back as I could remember, I always struggled with a bloated stomach. I had a hard time understanding why given I was pretty active as a kid (taking tap and ballet lessons since I was 3 years old and being on the tennis team in high school). Little did I know I would experience more than bloating! I also experienced extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, brain fog, and joint pain. These issues seemed to plague me daily. It wasn’t until I had a colonoscopy that they determined it was Crohn’s Disease.
As I am sure you can imagine, it was very difficult to navigate through this as a teenager. There was no knowledge as to the origin of Crohn’s nor how to manage it, besides staying away from spicy food. I couldn’t understand why I would get sleepy after eating pasta at Sunday Dinner.
It wasn’t until I read, “The G Free Diet,” by Elisabeth Hasselbeck, that I identified that Gluten was contributing to this breakdown but also magnifying my ADHD and learning disabilities that I simultaneously struggled with.
FWM: You launched Melly’s Homemade Meatball Mix that carried on your Nana’s delicious, yet gluten-free recipes. Tell us about your company.
I was blessed to have the opportunity to stand by Nana and learn her secret recipes. She would make me run and grab a measuring cup as she added ‘a little of this’ and ‘a little of that’, perfecting the recipe as she tasted it on her pallette. Since Nana didn’t read or write English, cooking was her love language. If you know anything about an Italian Sunday Dinner, it’s all about the meatballs! Thus, not being able to eat meatballs because of a gluten sensitivity meant I needed to find a solution. No way was I going to miss out on Sunday Dinner!
That is when I fervently tweaked Nana’s recipe to make her meatballs not only gluten free but also taste authentic. I wanted to make the product easy to use so anyone could make them, without a Pinterest fail and without tasting like cardboard, which seemed common with many GF foods.
The ingredients are ‘Mise en Place’ which means everything is in its place. If you follow the directions, without derailing, you will get 18 delicious gluten free meatballs that will come out perfect every time! Which is no wonder I was asked to make a Regular mix, too! Easy, Convenient and Authentic: reminding you of Nana and all of your own Sunday memories.
FWM: Is your company a family affair?
Oh, yes, it sure is! When our copacker closed, they were in the commercial kitchen with me, mixing, packing and filling. Thank God for them especially when I just recently had to ship out 1000 bags for a subscription box partnership I am doing. Talk about creating memories!
You have made Sunday Dinners Special. Tell us about your popular, THE SUNDAY DINNER EXPERIENCE™
Sunday Dinners are important in most people’s homes. It’s a time to gather together with family and friends to eat good food and make lots of memories! We all experience the busyness of working, running to and from sports events or school functions, resulting in very little time to get together even with family living in your own home. My mission is to bring Sunday Dinner back into the homes of everyone. Sunday Dinner doesn’t just have to be a Sunday either. It’s coming together through the experience of food and forgetting everything you have going on while making time to connect. Connecting to family/friends has proved, especially during this pandemic, how important it is to our mental health.
The Sunday Dinner Experience ™ offers ways to create that experience for you, stress free!
If you live in New Jersey, we offer The Sunday Dinner Experience ™To Go (delicious, authentic Sunday Dinners delivered to you) and La Dolce Vita, a 2 ½ hour In-Home cooking class learning to create your own sunday dinner experience, from making homemade Limoncello to our family specialities. Virtual Classes are coming soon!
What are people saying about Melly’s Homemade Meatball Mix?
- I can’t believe how close to regular the Gluten Free mix tastes! My family couldn’t tell the difference! J.G.
- My meatballs came out fantastic! My son ate 4! They even cooked nicer than when I make them- C.C
- My picky kids loved them! We have no gluten allergy but we try to eat gluten free. I can’t believe how easy this was to make. M.M
- Tonight’s meal, Chicken Meatballs and Spaghetti. The win? Vreer ate this first meatball ever! S.P
- Very moist! I added mozzarella to the middle. I’ve had Nana’s meatballs and these meatballs taste just like them! L.C
- The meatballs aren’t going to make it to dinner! The kids keep eating them as soon as I fry them. V.P
FWM: Tell us about your favorite recipes offered on your website.
It is hard to decide which is my favorite because I love them all… but Eggplant Rollatini probably takes the win! For a close second is probably Nana’s wedding soup.
FWM: Where can we find Melly’s Homemade Meatball Mix?
You can find Melly’s Meatball Mix at many Italian Specialty stores in NJ, on www.amazon.com and also my website www.mellysmeatballmix.com
FWM: Tell us about the La Dolce Vita 2 1/2 hr In-home cooking class.
La Dolce Vita means a good/sweet life. This 2 ½ hour In-Home cooking class is just that! a fun night of gathering with family or friends, making some of our family’s specialties. You will be an expert by the end of the class as well as indulging in the delicious food you made.:
- Lemoncello cocktail
- Nana’s famous Sunday Dinner Sauce and Meatballs (using Melly’s Gluten Free or Regular Meatball Mix)
- Chicken Cutlets using Melly’s Meatball Mix
- Eggplant Crostini using Melly’s Meatball Mix
- Roasted Peppers with Ricotta Crostini
Currently this is offered for NJ residents but we will be offering Virtual classes soon
FWM: Tell us about your words behind the brand.
Authentic Italian, Family Recipe, Woman Owned, Made in the USA, Easy & Convenient!
Instagram: @mellysmeatballmix
Facebook: Melly’s Meatball Mix
