GOLDEN DELICIOUS APPLE PIE WITH OATMEAL CRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Combine apples, 1/3 cup sugar, lemon juice and zest in a large mixing bowl.
• Mix well; set aside for 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°.
• In a smaller bowl, mix 1 tablespoon sugar, nutmeg, and cornstarch; add to apple mixture and stir well.
• Turn the filling into the chilled pie shell; smooth filling with your hands to even out.
• Place pie on the center rack in oven; bake 30 minutes.
• Can make the crumb topping while pie is baking: Add flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in the container of a food processor; pulse several times to mix.
• Scatter the butter over the top; pulse repeatedly until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
• Empty the crumbs into a large bowl and rub them together between your fingers until you have large, buttery crumbs; store in refrigerator until ready to use.
• Remove pie from oven and lower temperature to 375°; carefully dump the crumbs in the center of the pie, spreading them over the surface with your hands.
• Tamp them down lightly; return pie to oven, placing it so the part that faced the back of the oven now faces forward.
• Place a foil-lined baking sheet onto the rack below to catch any spills.
• Bake about 30-35 more minutes or until the top is dark golden brown and the juices bubble thickly at the edge.
• May need to cover the pie with loosely tented foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
• Place pie of a wire rack and let cool for at least 1 hour before serving.