Tomato juice

Eco tomato juice from grandma's garden

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: about 20 servings (depending on bottle size)

Introduction:
Making eco tomato juice from grandma's garden is a tradition full of flavor and nostalgia. In the old days, tomatoes were carefully harvested, and the juice preparation was a common activity that brought the family together. This year, despite the challenges of the season, grandma managed to produce a rich harvest of tomatoes, and we are here to transform these wonderful vegetables into a delicious and healthy juice.

Ingredients:
- 40-50 kg fresh tomatoes (ideally from the garden)
- Salt (to taste)
- Sugar (to taste)

Necessary utensils:
- Tomato juicer (preferably one that removes seeds and skin)
- Cauldron or large pot
- Glass bottles for preservation
- Sieve (if you don’t have a tomato juicer)
- Thick blanket (to cover the bottles in a water bath)
- Bucket of water (for safety)

Step by step:

1. Preparing the tomatoes:
Start by washing the tomatoes well under a stream of cold water. It is essential to remove any impurities. If you have small tomatoes, cut them in half; for larger ones, cut them into quarters. This process will help with easier processing.

2. Removing the stem:
Use a sharp knife to remove the stem of the tomatoes. This step is important as the stem can give a bitter taste to your juice.

3. Processing the tomatoes:
Here comes the fun part! If you have an electric tomato juicer, everything will go quickly. If not, use a manual juicer. It may seem like hard work, but the result is worth the effort. If you have a juicer that does not remove the seeds, you will need to pass the juice through a sieve to achieve a smooth consistency.

4. Boiling the juice:
Once you have processed all the tomatoes, pour the obtained puree into the cauldron. Here, it is important to be careful with the heat. Place the cauldron on medium heat and stir constantly to prevent burning. The juice will start to boil, and you need to stay close to it, stirring almost continuously.

5. Adjusting the taste:
After about an hour of boiling, the juice should have reduced and have a pleasant consistency. Finally, add salt and sugar to taste. These ingredients not only enhance the flavor but also help preserve the juice.

6. Bottling the juice:
Pour the hot juice into glass bottles. Make sure the bottles are clean and dry. Cover them with caps and place them in a water bath for 20-30 minutes. This process helps sterilize the bottles and preserve the juice.

7. Cooling and storing:
Once the juice has been sterilized, cover the bottles with a thick blanket to cool more slowly, thus helping to maintain the flavor. After they have completely cooled, you can store them in the cellar or pantry.

Practical tips:
- Choose ripe tomatoes, preferably from the garden, for an authentic taste. Organic tomatoes contain more nutrients and a more intense flavor.
- If you don't have enough time, you can make the tomato juice in smaller batches.
- Add aromatic herbs like basil or oregano during boiling for a flavored juice.
- Don’t throw away the tomato scraps! You can use them for making sauces or soups.

Nutritional benefits:
Tomato juice is an excellent source of vitamins, especially vitamin C and A. It is rich in antioxidants and has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Additionally, tomatoes are known for their lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells.

Possible variations:
- You can add bell peppers or carrots for a sweeter tomato juice.
- Experiment with different types of salt, such as sea salt or pink salt, to add a special note.
- If you like it spicy, add hot peppers to make a spicy tomato juice.

Frequently asked questions:
1. What should I do if I don't have a tomato juicer?
You can use a manual juicer, but it will require more effort. Alternatively, you can use a blender and then pass the mixture through a sieve.

2. How can I keep the tomato juice for a longer time?
Make sure the bottles are well sterilized and sealed. You can store it in cool places, away from sunlight.

3. Is it necessary to add sugar?
Sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, but if you prefer a more sour taste, you can omit it.

Serving suggestions:
This eco tomato juice is perfect for use in sauces, soups, or even in cocktails like Bloody Mary. You can also serve it as a base for a delicious pizza.

By making this tomato juice, you not only enjoy a delicious drink but also cherish pleasant memories from grandma's garden. Remember that every sip is a nostalgia of summer, preserved with love!