116 - Yvonne Ham, Nona's Italian Cucina. How many ways can Italian gravy heal a heart?

Edacious

So you’ve got a great recipe for Italian gravy and want to start a food business? Well, it’s way more than throwing it in a jar and sticking it on a grocer’s shelf. There are many hoops to jump through and tests to pass before that dream becomes a reality. Meet Yvonne Ham of Nona’s Italian Cucina. A story full of love, comfort, the safe spaces grandmothers create, and all the different forms heart health can take.

This is not your typical pasta sauce folks. This is REAL ITALIAN GRAVY. What’s the difference? First taste and you’ll know. True Italian gravy is thicker, the cooking process longer and slower. Flavorwise? No comparison. The essence of tomato with an unctuousness, a comforting meatiness. But this sauce is vegan, gluten-free, allergen-free. Just San Marzano tomatoes imported from Italy, fresh herbs, and classic spices. There’s also sweetness, but no sugar here. That’s just supreme tomatoes expressing their flavors.

The story behind Nona’s Italian Cucina is as great as the gravy. Yvonne learned the recipe from an Italian neighbor, a grandmother who acted as both friend and mentor while she and her military family were stationed in Naples. It was Yvonne’s first time abroad and she felt so out of her element, but Nona took her under her wing and not only taught her cooking but showed her how to navigate this new world. Nona became a part of the family and when The Hams returned 12 years later, Nona was there to greet them once more. Yvonne is now carrying on her tradition, feeding people and connecting to folks within her own community. Even though Nona is no longer with us, Yvonne knows she’s watching and guiding Yvonne with her blessing. And I know she’s just so proud.

I first tried Yvonne’s gravy at The Charlottesville City Market, where she’s been sampling and selling and getting the word out for some time. Now she’s begun the next step of the journey. Store shelves. You can find Nona’s Italian Cucina at The Charlottesville City Market, The Spice Diva, Nourish Louisa, Market Street Wine, and Blue Ridge Bottle Shop in Crozet.

What happens when you’ve just started your food business and a major health scare manifests right out of the blue? You keep going. This happened to Yvonne and her story is not only a tribute to her strength and resilience but also to her commitment to caring for people and her community by feeding them good food. Healing yourself, learning your own value, by connecting and caring for others. A deep soulful lesson for all of us and one we can all learn from.

Part of that commitment is future initiatives with the American Heart Association, maybe a fundraiser or a consciousness-raising about advocating for your health and finding your voice. Working to eradicate food deserts. Cooking classes. Whatever Yvonne plans, count me in. She’s a beautiful human being with an amazing product I’m honored to promote and eat, as much as I can. Our lunch lasted almost 6 hours, a leisurely stroll of food and conversation in the true Italian style. Dolce Far Niente. The sweetness of doing nothing. An Italian way of life that everyone should get behind. Often.

Happy holidays everyone. May your own table be as comforting and healing as this conversation was for me. Mille Grazie, Yvonne. Your gravy is amazeballs!

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