Rai Mincey is a food writer and baking enthusiast whose focuses include culinary history, seasonal cooking, and Southern cuisine. She splits her time between Birmingham, Alabama, and Tulum, Mexico.

Cast-iron cookware requires regular seasoning to create a protective, non-stick layer and prevent rust. To season a pan, apply a thin layer of a high oleic oil, like grapeseed oil, and bake it in the ...