Cloves is just a flavoring agent. While they appeal to most people and usually compliment tomatoes well some folks just don't care for them. They can be left out with no problems but it will affect the flavor. Any dried herb or seasoning can always be left out, or even increased somewhat, if you wish without affecting the processing times. It is fresh herbs and spices that can't be altered. The issue with dried spices and seasonings is that they can often turn bitter or over-whelming turning shelf storage so that's why they are are used carefully. Dave

There's no reason you can't sub dill, especially since you are freezing it. I think the amount will be personal taste!! For me, I wouldn't want as much dill as basil, but depends on how much you like dill. You could also do some without any herbs and add what strikes your fancy at meal time! Sorry, not much help. Deanna

Deanna, I knew that it was pressure canned, but I thought that even pressure canned tomatoes required additional acid - is this not so? My BBB says to add acid regardless of whether I am pressure or BWB canning tomatoes. Carol, that is what I thought might be the case. OK, I'll just leave them and this will be our learning year - we'll pay attention to which ones are yummy and which ones are not. I always have good intentions to stay on top of the harvest but somehow it always gets ahead of me. Thanks! Ann

Squeezo is a very old name for the newer model Villaware or Roma food strainer. These use a very good design that incorpoates a spiral auger that pushes the juices through a fine holed screens and removes all traces of seeds and skins. No prepping needed, unless the tomatoes are really big, where you simply cut them in quarters. Its similar to a meat grinder, but its for most any food that has skins and/or seeds. I use it for red raspberry jam without seeds. The use of a finer hold berry screen is what gives me just the juices and soft pulp, and any seeds are pushed out the end of the conical sieves. They also make a shorter spiral for large grape seeds and a pumpkin screen or even a 3/16 inch hole salsa screen. These are extra attachments. If you were dong a LOT of tomatoes or othr things, also suggest the motor unit. I have one here and 'crank' out a bushel in about 10 minutes. The newer ones have a twist on strainer screen, while teholder models have two big wingnuts on each side of the screens. Of allthe models and improvements, the nerwer ones work better, leak less and are very easy to work. Here is a link that might be useful: Food strainer