The tomatoes are coming out of the garden pretty fast this time of year for us, and we certainly can’t keep up with them by eating them fresh. But since everything else is also coming out of the garden now too, in whatever way I choose to preserve the tomato goodness for later meals needs to be fast.
So, I was really excited after I tried using this Kitchenaid mixer strainer attachment (my friend Doris owns it and let me borrow it). This is by far the fastest way to turn tomatoes into juice fast!
It removes both the skins and seeds, and does it quickly. And once I’ve got tomato juice, I can freeze it as is, add fresh herbs and process it into tomato sauce, use it in dishes made with the other vegetables coming from the garden, or use it in countless other ways.
Processing a big or little batch of tomatoes is easy, and a pile like the one below can be done in less than 30 minutes (including prepping the tomatoes and clean-up). You can buy the strainer attachment directly from Kitchenaid HERE.
The attachment is made to go on the front of the Kitchenaid stand mixer, and it’s simple to assemble and attach.
Just provide a bowl to catch the juice and one to catch the skins and seeds, and you’re ready to go.
Simply cut the tomatoes into quarters or smaller (depending on the size of the tomato), and feed them into the spout at the top. Turn the mixer on the lowest speed, and watch as it quickly separates the juice from the seeds and skin.
In almost no time, all those tomatoes are processed into juice that can be used in so many different ways. And cleanup of the machine is easy too, because the parts all come apart and can easily be washed.
The other ways I’ve tried doing this were much more work and took way longer, I’m never going back to the manual methods! Once I’ve got the tomato juice it’s so easy to freeze and then I can pull it out to make Fall Freezer Tomato Sauce or so many other recipes any time.
Patty says
when making juice this way do you need to add a little water with it. I’m using field tomatoes so they’re really thick
Lesa says
Hi Patty,
When making juice with the Kitchenaid attachment I haven’t needed to add water, but I’m not typically using just paste tomatoes either.
Amanda says
My jaw is dropping right now. I had NO idea Kitchenaid made this attachment! I just got done canning 25 quarts of tomato juice over the weekend with my mom, and I was in charge of hand-cranking the Squeezo through the bushel and a half of tomatoes. We may have to try this next time! Thanks for sharing!
P.S. I just found your site today and saw you’re in NE Ohio — I’m in Erie County, PA — so not far away! 🙂 I just bought an 1801 farmstead and I’m raising chickens and rabbits; hoping to add Nigerian Dwarf goats in the spring! Looking forward to following your blog and learning from your posts!
Lesa says
Hi Amanda, you really need this attachment if you’ve got a Kitchenaid and you’re planning to do tomato juice each year – it makes it soo much easier! Congratulations on the farmstead, and we love our Nigies 🙂