Fresh-made pasta venture helps survivors of domestic abuse
Suzanne Molley has an unusual backstory for her fresh premium pasta company, Pastabilities.
Molley has worked as an attorney in Lexington, Kentucky, for 20 years and was familiar with a local organization that helped survivors of domestic violence. “They provide counseling surfaces and whatever resources they need to get back on their feet,” she said.
“They also have a farm where they grow flowers and have transitional housing. The survivors live there, helping make flower arrangements, soaps and lotions that are sold in a shop. I’ve always admired the founder and wanted to do something like that in East Tennessee.”
Pasta-making while helping survivors
Because Molley did not have an affinity for flowers, she was looking for another business that could provide support for people who have survived trauma and are starting over.
“I mulled it over for a decade,” said Molley. “We have a farm in South Knoxville, I was working there and was hungry and wanted some fresh pasta that I could cook myself and couldn’t find it. A lightning bolt hit me. It fit perfectly into that long-term plan.”
Molley was determined to learn how to make pasta and teach others how to do it, too. “Imagine all of the ‘Pastabilities,’ we joked, and from that came our phrase ‘pasta with purpose’,” she explained. “It is a pasta manufacturing business. I don’t do catering and I don’t have a restaurant.”
Seven years ago, Molley returned to her hometown, but she continues to practice law in Kentucky, working remotely while she grows Pastabilities.
“A friend of mine in Lexington does pasta-making classes, so I signed up and took my (grown) kids with me,” said Molley. “It is an ongoing education; there are now food manufacturing courses that I take. I am not a chef, but I can make pasta.”
The first pasta Molley made completely by hand was pappardelle. “It is my favorite pasta. I love the wide noodles with a thick, rich sauce,” she said. “That was the first thing I learned to make, partly because that was what I wanted to buy.
“We officially started selling in October of last year,” said Molley. “We spent a lot of time on product development.”
Fresh pasta made in Knoxville
Pappardelle, cheese ravioli, macaroni, sun dried tomato and basil pappardelle are some of the fresh pasta options available now. Pastabilities is releasing its mac ‘n’ cheese meal prep kit at the Dogwood Arts Festival this spring and will add a spinach ravioli to the online store. “It will be a pound of fresh macaroni and a cheese mixture already shredded and measured out,” said Molley.
The Pastabilities dough is handmade at Real Good Kitchen. “We go in for hours to make pasta. Wednesdays and Thursdays are our pasta making days,” she said. “I mix and knead the dough. I have a sheeter, but it is labor intensive. “
Rosemary bucatini is Pastabilities’ signature pasta and always available. Proceeds from it are donated to local organizations that support domestic violence survivors. “I like it with a really hearty meat sauce,” said Molley. “I also like it by itself with some olive oil, fresh basil and a little salt and pepper to taste.”
Pastabilities also sells macaroni bucatini, sun dried tomato and basil. “My poor family, I have experimented with so many cheese recipes for my ravioli,” said Molley.
The pasta can be ordered online Mondays at https://pastabilities.net/by for collection from Real Good Kitchen 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesdays, or ordered through Market Wagon. This spring, Pastabilities will be a vendor at New Harvest Park 3-6 p.m. on Thursdays.
It can be refrigerated for up to five days or frozen for up to six months.
“It sounds so corny: It’s made with love,” said Molley. “It’s a happy food. It’s not just a business, it is something I do because I love making it and sharing it, especially when people tell me they have enjoyed it. It is purely selfish.”
Spreading the possibilities
Molley hopes to build Pastabilities and work with organizations to bring people in and give them marketable skills, so they can become entrepreneurs.
“Ultimately we want to work with community college and trade schools to give them opportunities to learn and support themselves and gain confidence,” she said. “We want to give them a safe space to work, empower them and allow them to pay it forward.”
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Fresh-made pasta venture helps survivors of domestic abuse
