Tag: heirloom tomatoes

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Tomato Juice: How to Prepare and Preserve

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To my recollection, the last time I canned anything was around 20 years ago. As I am producing my own food, canning is one of the homestead activities I want to incorporate back into my life. One family branch has a tradition of eating tomato gravy at Christmas gatherings. I have been blessed with a wonderful crop of heirloom tomatoes. In August of 2019, I decided to make tomato juice for my own consumption and as a base for the tomato gravy this coming holiday season.

List of Supplies

  • Clean pots
  • Sharp knife
  • Scrap bucket
  • Pan with water
  • Jars
  • Lids
  • Rims
  • Stomper/Colander
  • Pan/pot for juice to drain into
  • Water bath canner or pressure cooker
  • Ladle
  • Funnel
  • Measuring cup

Food Ingredients

  • Tomatoes
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Water
10 ways to start homesteading today

Before I share my personal experience making tomato juice, do you want to learn other ways to begin living a homestead lifestyle? Click this link to learn other ways to start living a homestead live-style.

Prep Tomatoes for Tomato Juice

First, gathering a knife, a pan of cool water, 2 clean pots, a scrap bucket, and of course a five-gallon bucket full of tomatoes, I sat on the front porch of my neighbor’s house and cut up tomatoes.

  • What I started with
  • Pan with water. I changed the water once when I was halfway through.
  • Clean pot to cook the tomatoes in.
  • Srapes or waste left from prepping the tomatoes to cook.
  • For the fun of jumping ahead: the result. From a heaping 5-gallon bucket of tomates I now have 6 quarts of tomato juice and 7 pints.

I removed any bad spots and the cores. These large, heirloom tomatoes filled 2 pots. I spent 30 to 40 minutes cutting these up.

One pot of tomatoes ready to cook.

Before I started cooking the tomatoes on the stove, I cleaned up the jars I wanted to use.  My basement has become dirty over the last few years. So, I cleaned them outside with a hose, before cleaning them again inside.

Cook Tomatoes

I added a glass of water to the smaller pan, and 2 glasses of water to the larger pan.  I realized later I did not need to add that much water.  While I have canned food before, tomato juice is a first for me. 

Cut tomatoes in pot
The tomatoes are starting to cook down in this picture.

My plan was to work with my friend, but she needed to be elsewhere.  I knew I needed to process those tomatoes or I would end up not getting it done. Feeling excited and a bit unsure, I decided I would move ahead one step at a time.  I expected her to return home while I was cooking the tomatoes off, however as life happens, she was unable to be there as early as she thought. I looked up online how long to water bath tomato juice.

Cooked tomatoes
Ready to make tomato juice.

As the tomatoes cook, I prepared candy onions and garlic to add to the tomato juice. I added two onions and a garlic clove to one of the pots as the tomatoes cooked for an experiment of sorts.

Stomper and pan where the tomatoes are pressed for juice
Colander to press cooked tomatoes into tomato juice.

 I phoned another friend of mine. I felt a bit unsure. After our chat, I felt more confident. I decided how I was going to add the garlic and onion. I would place one garlic clove and a small onion or a portion of an onion in the jars, for additional flavor. Oops, I realized by that point that I added more water than I needed to. The additional veggies would give the juice additional flavor. Thanks, Dolli!

Tomato juice with onion
The garlic sank to the bottom of the jar and the onion floated to the top.

A closer look at the lids and rings I had found new in their package in my basement, showed me the lids were definitely not fit to use.  When the tomatoes were sufficiently cooked, I ran into town to buy new lids. 

Stomp Tomatoes to Make Tomato Juice

Using a large pan and stomper, I set out to make my first tomato juice. I pictured myself pouring the contents of the pan (cooked off tomatoes) into the stomper.  I seen myself making a huge mess.  Instead, I used a ladle to place the cooked tomatoes in the stomper. 

Making tomato juice
All that remained after one pot of cooked tomatoes was pressed

My mind wonder as I pushed out the juice to the days of my past.  I remember making applesauce in my grandma’s kitchen using similar tools.  I am quite fond of applesauce.  Remembering fond memories of my youth when member of the family would work together preserving food, feelings of nostalgia lurked in my mind.  Despite beginning to get tired, I felt excited to be canning again. Canning touches the creative side of me.

Jars

Inside I rinsed and dried 6-quart jars and 7-pint jars in hot, hot water. I allowed them to air dry on a towel.  I again used a ladle to dip the juice from the pan into the jars. 

When my friend returned home, I ask her, “do you have a faster way to do this?” We laughed as she said, “oh yes, I do. What was I thinking?” That certainly sped up the process.  She handed me a funnel and measuring cup. The measuring cup had a handle and a spout to pour out of. Perfect!

With the jars full, I cleaned of the rims of the jars.  The things that come back to me as I went through this process. I remember my grandma using this little sauce pan to heat the lids before placing them on the jars.  I am quite certain I have that little pan somewhere, or one like it.  For this process, I skipped that step. 

Canning Process

Placing lids and rims on the 6-quart jars that I had cleaned the rims into the canner they went. We used her tap water to fill the canner (water bath). The water almost reached the top of the jars. I waited until the water was at a rolling boil. 

I took note of the time and made a metal note of what time the jars would be done. During this time, I continued stomping the second pot of cooked tomatoes.  I had enough to fill the 7 pint jars I had cleaned.  When the pints were filled, clean and covered with lids and rims. I washed up as many of the dishes as I could.

There was only a small amount of waste from all of the tomatoes that were cooked and stomped. To take a guess, I would say it would not have filled a quart jar. Her chickens would get them for a treat. The waste from cutting the tomatoes before cooking went to my house. 

Six quarts of tomato juice waiting for water to boil
Six quarts of tomato juice ready to be canned.

When the quarts were done cooking, I ran home to get my own canner. Returning, I took the 7 quarts home in that and later that night I canned those.  A side note here: I used water purchased in town to process the pints at home. The tap water left a residue on the quart jars. The purchased water did not.

Cool

I removed the quart jars from the canner placing them on a towel on the counter.  I covered the 6 jars with another towel. Some of the jars had already begun to seal. They sat on my friend’s counter for a couple days until I could get back over to pick them up.

Tomato juice waiting to be processed
These 7 pints of tomato juice waiting to be processed.

Storing Tomato Juice

On Tuesday, I stored them in my basement.  Here they will sit for future use.  The 6 quarts are for making tomato gravy at one of the family Christmas gathering.  Yum, I feel hungry thinking about the delicious taste. Have you ever eaten tomato gravy?  Leave me a comment below to let me know.

I skipped the part where I write the date on the lids.  If I can more, I will go ahead and date them.

Yield

I was rewarded with 6 quarts and 7 pints.

Did this inspire you to preserve food? Are you looking for other ways to live a homestead life style? Use this link for more ideas: 10 Ways to Begin a Homestead Life Today.

10 ways to start homesteading today

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Sowing Seeds

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Last week I excitedly started my Monday morning. I determined I would be sowing or planting seeds. What is so fun and exhilarating about sticking tiny, often hard to see, little pieces of what looks like nothing, in soil? Potential. The prospect of all to be seen from a tiny start. Future hopes and plans lie in the planting of a seed.

I rejoiced. I sang hymns of old as they popped into my head. I knew I would be accomplishing a goal today. Today I celebrate planting seeds. Planting vegetable seeds on June 8 might be a week or two later compared to others in my area. I do not worry for the growing season in Zone 5 allows time for the plants to grow and produce.

Hand Powered Tiller

The bright sun warmed my skin and a heavy breeze kept me from becoming too hot. The temperature, forecasted to be near 90 degrees continued to rise as I worked. I knew I needed singular focus to accomplish the days task of placing seeds beneath the fertile soil. I knew today required me to push beyond comfort.

Homesteading and farming brings joy, but discomfort too. On seed planting day I would choose to focus my thoughts on the future joys of seeing new life push through the soil, satisfaction in producing my own food, and ignore dwelling on thoughts pertaining to physical discomfort.

Planting Pea Seeds

A little bit more of my dream happens today as I take another step toward producing my own food. Garden space is larger in 2020 allowing for a greater number of plants and varieties.  

To read how I put the chickens to use preparing garden ground, click below.

Put Your Chickens to Work on the Homestead

The previous week, Julie from Blooms on 800, brought her tiller and worked the ground saving me the hard work of turning the dirt with a shovel. Before I started planting in the 10′ x 20′ garden, I used my ‘Maria’ powered hand pushed tiller to go over the ground one more time.

Heirloom Tomato seedlings grown from second generation seed saving. The same tomatoes I made tomato juice and stewed tomatoes from in 2019.

In 2020, I am trying new heirloom seeds. Peanuts, Quinoa, Sorghum, and Flax are 4 I feel super excited about. The grains will potentially help produce my own chicken feed in the future. I say this lightly as I am not exactly sure how the process will all play out. Grains also potentially provide flour when ground and would replace pasta in some dishes as healthier options.

Planting Flax Seeds

Peas and cucumbers, also heirloom, make up the last of the new to CG Heartbeats Farm garden plants. Look for blog post in the fall and winter sharing my process for growing from seed and saving seeds for next year.

A favorite returning vegetable of mine is the heirloom tomato I grew last year. Peppers, sugar baby watermelon and butternut squash return also. I did not plant all the seeds today.

Herb seeds will be started in pots and planted near the house where garlic grows now.  These include Sage, Thyme, Dill, Basil and Oregano.

Julie from Blooms on 800 generously shared a few herb plants with me. She started these from seeds in her green house. Now, I have a few plants I will be able to gather from right away. I plan to leave these as potted herbs for the summer.

While I worked, I imaged the futire fruits of my labor. I thought about how pretty the Flax Flowers would look. I considered how I would create places for the cucumbers and peas to vine. I wondered how I would stake the Quinoa if I needed to. 

Flax Seedlings

Before I planted any seeds, I considered my layout for the garden spaces. Where would I plant each variety to allow for maximum plant productivity? I read the seed packages. If the information I looked for was not listed, I searched google. Between the 2 sources I came up with a plan, a garden layout.

While the majority of the seed planting happened on Monday, I continued to plant through the next week. I planted carrots, sweet potato starts, romaine lettuce seeds, spinach, moss rose, and 5 herb varieties. 

One of the first pea seedlings to appear

I intend to plant a few flower seeds and perhaps bulbs too. My heart is happy with the seed planting progress. I am even beginning to see seedlings appear through the soil one week later.  The way a seed grows into a tiny plant which continues to develop until it produces its own seed amazes me. New life, sustainable, regenerative cycles and producing my own food bring satisfaction to my soul.

I may harvest and preserve a couple weeks later due to later seed planting, but harvest and preserve I intend to do. Today I planted. Tonight, I will water the seeds. After today, I wait for seedlings to appear.

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Preserving Stewed Tomatoes

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I met Julie in the summer of 2018 the night we both attended Bremen Farmer’s Market. I think the first words I spoke to her were, “I love your cart.” She was selling fresh cut flowers on a repurposed old fire hose reel cart. We became friends. And it seems that I have known her longer then the year and 3 months I actually have. Julie finds value in the skill of food preservation. She welcomed me to her house to share and teach me her take on canning stewed tomatoes.  I wanted to add onions and garlic and we worked that in to the process.  I awoke last Monday morning excited for my day. I would also get to see the Swedish Flower Hen chickens she raised from my flock. More on that later.

With the two of us working together the preparation process took us under 2 hours. Of course, the water bath and cooling of the jars took longer.

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Preserve
Stewed
Tomatoes

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    Ingredients
    • Tomatoes
    • Onions
    • Garlic
    • Salt (optional)
    Items Needed
    • Water Bath Canner
    • Sharp Knife
    • Cutting Board (or 2)
    • Stainless Steel Pot
    • Container for cold water (or a sink full of cold water
    • Jar Remover
    • Jars, lids, and rings
    • Towels and Cleaning cloth
    • Scrap Bucket
    • Small sauce pan

    Prepare Jars

    I brought 12 pint jars. Our first step was washing them in hot water and setting them to the side to air dry. This after, we had water in the canner on the stove, but not heating yet, and a larger pot of water heating for the scalding process.

    Prepare Onions and Garlic

    Before we started on the tomatoes, we removed the outer skins of the onions and garlic, washed the dirt off, and cut to the desired size. I placed some of them in a 3 or 4 of the jars.

    Prepare Tomatoes

    This part flowed well with the 2 of us working together. It definitely sped up the process. First I cleaned the tomatoes under running water and removed any terrible bad spots. She encouraged me to wait to actually core them, just pop off the protruding stem. There were a few tomatoes I still needed a knife to core them. The stubborn stems would not come off with out a knife.

    Next the tomatoes were gently set into the now boiling water for 30 seconds. Carelfully dipped out with a large spoon and dropped into the cold water in the sink. The peelings almost removed themselves. Working on a cutting board I finished removing the peelings and any parts of the core that was left. The tomatoes had not all been picked that morning and there were a few more soft spots to remove in this step. 

    As I removed the skin, I proceeded to chunk up the tomatoes. I cut them into roughly a square inch. Julie continued scalding the tomatoes and placing them in the cold water. She added additional cold water due to the hot tomatoes warming the water in the sink. Once she had the tomatoes through the scalding process, she took over removing the peels. I continued cutting the tomatoes into smaller pieces. In this step one can choose the size of the tomato chunks. There is no right or wrong size. When I had a few pieces cut, I added them to a jar. This process seemed to take the longest, but with our teamwork and fun conversation it flew by.

    When she had the tomatoes peeled she helped by adding the remainder of the onion and garlic to the jars. I had estimated the amount of garlic and onions I would need.  The last 3 jars received about 3 times as much as the other 7.  Experimenting, I say. An important step in the process involves pressing out the air and creating a bit of juice. Often, the lowered level requires the addition of cut up tomatoes.

    Preparing to Water Bath

    The chunks of tomatoes made quite a mess or perhaps I did as I placed them in the jars, around the tops and down the sides of the jars. Julie cleaned the tops and sides of seven jars.

    I finished up chunking the tomatoes. We had previously set lids into a small pan and brought that to a boil. This process I skipped when canning tomato juice, but I learned to do this helping my grandma can as a child. When I canned 20 years ago, I did this and Julie, too, uses this method when canning.

    When preparing the cans to go into the water bath, place lids on clean jars, add the rings making sure each one is tight.  Hand tightening works well, but the rings should be tight.

    After setting 7-pint jars in the canner, Julie topped off the water level bringing to around an inch above the jars.

    Water Bath Canning

    At this point, we started heating the water in the canner. I had brought my canner along and we used that for the first 7. Julie showed me how she cans her food using a towel in the bottom of a large pot and water bathing it. We both learned a new thing. I did not know the towel trick.

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    We sat in her kitchen at the table and chatted about farmer’s markets, our winter plans and relationships while waiting for the water to start boiling. Once it hit a rolling boil we headed out to look at her chickens and the beautiful creation of her chicken run.

    Then when we headed back in, the water bathing process was complete. I removed the jars and set them on her counter to cool. We had preserved 10 pints of stewed tomatoes from 2/3rds of a 5 gallon bucket of heirloom tomatoes.

    The next day, my friend Beth and I drove paid Julie a visit. I wanted Beth to see Julie’s coop and run ( It is sooo cute!) and needed to pick up my jars. I did not want to transport them until they had sat for a day.  Later I dated and stored them in the basement.

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    Homestead Diary ~ Week 3

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    Week 3 of August proved a challenge in regard to my health. I look back as I prepared this post and I see progress, good memories and much to be grateful for. But to be honest in those moments when I lacked energy, I felt discouraged. Week 1 and Week 2 of August felt considerably more productive.

    Thursday, August 15, 2019

    I have not felt good today.  I have laid low aside from a bit of laundry and working online.  I chased away all those nagging thoughts of projects and work I want to complete outside for I know I need to rest today.  By rest that means I do as little as possible when it comes to strenuous physical activity. The fact that I need these days at this stage in my life contributed to the fact I started this web site and working online as a part of what I do.   I make use of these days to write and work online.  Certainly not a wasted day by no means. 

    I ordered Perfect Fit, a CD by Patrick McAvinue.  I am certain to enjoy it. The anticipation of its arrival chased away my blue attitude brought on by my lack of energy today.

    Friday, August 16, 2019

    I fought a fogy head most of the day.  Aside from chores, and a trip to the bank (which was actually 2 trips) I fumbled through the day.  A bit of online work seemed to be the best I could do.

    Saturday, August 17, 2019

    I had after much debate decided to attend one of my annual family reunions. In doing so I missed out attending the Culver Farmer’s Market.  To my dismay, I arrived at my destination after 1 and a half hours travel, to learn the event is indeed scheduled for next Saturday.  I admit to feeling angry for about 5 or 10 minutes.  A question arose with in me, “Did I want to be a person who could not handle a change in the plan of the day?”  The answer left me no alternative but to change my thought process.  How could I enjoy this day going forward?

    I saved seeds from the largest tomato after eating a part of it at my parents on Saturday.

    I completely gave my anger away ASAP.  Let it go!  After eating a portion of one of the heirloom tomatoes I had brought with me, my Dad and I were off to visit one of his cousins.  His wife needed input from me for a wall hanging made of my younger sisters 4-H tee shirts.  After a friendly visit, at my Dad’s suggestion, I enjoyed a look at a collection of around 100 model John Deere tractors.  Impressive!

    A meal out with my Mom in the town I went to High School in, found me thinking about the changes in my life in the last 27 years.  Good changes for the most part.  A bit more chatting at my parents, an hour + drive home, chores, and I sat down to listen to music via my phone. 

    Oh, I almost forgot, my cousin gifted me with 8 books (I really like books) and had left them at my parents for me to pick up.  I checked the mail when I arrived home and found 2 books that were gifts, as well. Speaking of arriving home, I noticed my purse was no where to be found.

    Sunday, August 18, 2019

    I rested and started a new book from my cousin titled Wild Grows the Heather in Devon. I expected it to be a fast read, but in fact it is not.  The subjects and questions the characters discuss give the feel of a theology book rather than a feel-good story.  A bit of mystery surrounds the characters of a turn of the 19 century English family and the old great house.

    Monday, August 19, 2019

    Ah Mondays tend to be my day of the week I get the most done.  Not today!  I splurged on a trip into town for coffee and a sandwich. My head felt foggy.  I hate feeling this way!!!!  I decided not to dwell on that fact.  After feeding the animals and working on small online projects I connected with my mom to plan the best way to get my purse back. We decided to meet in Goshen and included a visit with one of my aunts. We met for coffee and laughs at Burger King. Did you know they give seniors FREE coffee? 

    Before I left, I checked the mail and to my surprise I found a package containing the Patrick McAvinue CD I had ordered last Thursday.  That arrived quickly! Want your own copy?  Click here. Track # 11 made me want to get up and dance, thus it is my favorite of the 12. Along with the credits for each song you will find the inspiration behind its creation and/or why it made the cut. I thought that added a personal touch unseen in my experience.

    Tuesday, August 20, 2019

    Awaking, I determined to make this a productive day.  I went through my morning routine, checking and picking tomatoes before feeding chickens.  The hot humid air found me grumbling to myself concerning the conditions.  After lunch I washed eggs, and prepped for the market in Culver.  Everything pointed to rainy evening and with a broken canopy I choose to stay home. 

    Checking the rain gage, I seen only 1 and ½ inches.  I expected a higher amount based my perception of rainfall since last Wednesday. Truly that translated into 1 inch since I left the ½ inch in the gage.

    Reading in the book I started Sunday, I realized I did not have a clue what ‘Heather’ looks like.  I did a quick google search and learned it has potential health benefits, it is a flowering shrub, and I find it pretty.  I hope to add it to CG Heartbeats Farm in the future.

    To be honest, I chased off thoughts of frustration for not showing up at the market realizing the rain had dissapaited by 5 pm there was not rain in Culver.  I went to work on my computer determined not to waste my time.

    I recently set up an account one Me We, a newer social media platform said to be friendly to animal sales.  Tonight, I created groups for the 3 breeds of chickens I raise here:  Swedish Flower Hens, Silver Gray Dorking, (Dorking Chickens) and Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner.  Are you on Me We? If so, be sure to look me up. (Maria Graber)

    Wednesday, August 21, 2019

    All of my activities prepared me to be on time to the Bremen Farmer’s Market and not be too exhausted when I arrived.  As much as I love the markets, I often find myself tired when they are over.  I have been writing out a list with times on it to help me stay focused and plan my day.  I was inspired by the quick glance I was given at the mastermind meet up at Crystal Paine’s houses. While not utilizing every single day, I sure find the practice a benefit. I look back at the last 3 and ½ weeks since returning.  I see how much I accomplished compared to July. I am thankful to be a part of Your Blogging University and the mastermind.

    I am writing this diary post on Thursday, remembering yesterdays events.  I drove to Midwest to pick up Non-GMO chicken feed and Safe Guard for Rosie.  Rosie, a 24 year old mare, could tell countless stories on me of all the fun memories.  Perhaps another day and blog post(s).  Working to Keep a healthy weight on her includes a pelleted feed and extra hay, teeth maintenance and time out to eat grass.  Despite these efforts, she continues to struggle.  She likes to trot and be pushy. I take that to mean she likes living. 

    With the feed unloaded, and Rosie dewormed, I set to cleaning up garlic for the Bremen Farmer’s Market.  I cut a few flowers for decorating the table.  Cisco and Clinch, in the yard near my car, decided the flowers were food.  ‘Not my bouquets, boys!!!’

    The small market crowd provided a few customers.  The heirloom tomatoes were a hit.  I am partial to them, myself, this year. 

    Arriving home, I found myself busy moving the SFH broody to a tank.  I hoped for the best. I was trying a new time of day to move a broody hen.  Last event of the chores before going in.  Check back next week to see if she stayed on the only 2 of 10 eggs that had a viable chick in them. 

    Once inside, I went through lockdown procedures for the 7 Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner/Swedish Flower Hen cross eggs.  A bit of disappointment shot thru me.  A couple of the eggs looked like the air cell was too big, indicating I needed to start the lockdown earlier.  Nothing to be changed on this hatch, but a note to self for next time. Again, I decided to hope for the best.  Look for updates on Facebook and Instagram or look for next week’s diary post.

    This post contains affiliate links. What does that mean to you?  Certain links when clicked on and a purchase is made will pay me a portion of the price with out any additional cost to you.
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