Using A Food Mill

Food mills are an old fashioned kitchen tool that was used by many in the kitchen.  My mother
had one which we still have however, I really did not know what it was but saw her use it often especially when she was making her scratch tomato sauce and spaghetti. 

It was not until I decided to can tomato sauce that I discovered just how useful, simple and uncomplicated a modern day food mill can operate.  Our backyard garden has given us so much produce the food mill has become a weekly (if not more) kitchen tool for meal prep.

The food mill forces foods through a perforated disk which separates out seeds, skins, and cores.  My food mill has 3 sizes of disks for a variety of straining consistencies. It works quickly and especially is useful for small batches of food.  It is perfect for a one time menu item for dinner such as tomato sauce or applesauce.

Food processors and blenders can be used for pureeing however, the seeds, skins, and cores are left behind. They may look pureed but a gritty type texture remains as the seeds, skins, and cores do not liquify.  I was so surprised what was left in my food mill from fresh tomatoes after I pureed them in a blender. 

Uses for a food mill are wide ranging.  Below are a uses for a food mill.  The food needs to be soft, often being steamed, baked or boiled before being run through the food mill.

Fresh applesauce.  Applesauce can be used for cakes, muffins, and other bakery items.  It is of course very sweet and good all by itself!

Fresh tomatoes.  Fresh milled tomatoes can be used for tomato sauce, tomato puree, ketchup, and tomato soup.

Fresh fruits.  Very ripe fruit can be put through the mill without cooking such as strawberries however, fruits like apples need to be cooked until soft. Fruit sauces are smooth and seedless. Apples, pear, peach apricot and plum butter are thick, smooth, and very good.

Vegetable soups.  Creamed soups are smooth and delicious.  Asparagus put through a mill gets all the tough fibers out for the beginnings of a creamy soup.

Vegetable purees for baby food. Carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin, and many other vegetables can be run through a mill for fresh from the garden baby food. Check out my post with homemade baby food recipes!

No other kitchen tool that I have (blender, food processor, or strainer) can mash and strain soft chunks of food all at one time.

If you are now convinced you need a food mill you can check out the one I use here!

“I’ve always felt that having a garden is like having a good and loyal friend. ”  C. Z. Guest