Meet Our Finalists: Meredith Newmark – Triple-Crust Cast-Iron Skillet Apple Pie

Meredith’s Triple-Crust Cast-Iron Skillet Apple Pie was the “People’s Choice” at the March 23rd Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Pie Baking Challenge semifinals at Martha’s Table. Meredith gets extra points for bringing her apple pie in several cast-iron skillets for her table display. Now that’s flexing your muscle. Most of us only have one good skillet that becomes a family heirloom. Looking at her pies framed by cast-iron handles just warmed you all over. There are flavors a cast-iron skillet holds that can’t be duplicated in a pie plate. Why stop at a sky high pan of sliced apple filling when you can add not only more apples but more delicious crust.

Read Meredith Newmark’s Triple-Crust Cast-Iron Skillet Apple Pie Story

Most of my friends who taste this pie think it is unique because it has not one, not two, but THREE crusts –- and yet still seems to have the perfect apple-to-crust ratio. Other friends marvel at the fact that it is baked in a cast-iron skillet, or they appreciate the hidden treat of a layer of caramelized sugar on the bottom. But for me, it is special because the first occasion for which I made it was so special.

I was living in Greensboro, N.C., and volunteering with an adult literacy organization tutoring Vietnamese refugees in English. For our holiday party at the end of the year, they wanted to make their traditional food to share with us volunteers, and in return I wanted to make something American for these new immigrants. And of course, what could be more American than apple pie? The pie was a big hit with my students, even though it was a new dish for them. It was a great way to finish a meal of stir-fried noodles, meatballs, and spring rolls. Sharing our cultural traditions together was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.

Since then, many others have enjoyed this recipe, and it won 3rd place out of 23 pies at the Takoma Park Farmers Market apple pie contest in 2012. But the memory of that Christmas party will still be my favorite thing about it.

Who will win!? Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Pie Baking Challenge Final Five, Tuesday, April 23, 5-7 PM at Eatonville Restaurant, 2121 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010. No admission fee. Make your reservations by calling 202-332-ZORA (9672). Percentage of sales for the evening will be donated to Martha’s Table.