For Healthy Summertime Eating, Try Peruvian

by Paula Detwiller

How’s this for healthy: a cold drink made from purple corn that not only tastes delicious, it also helps lower high blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s called Chica Morada, and it’s one of many healthy menu items at Eat Peruvian Bakery & Café in Lake Worth.

If “Eat Peruvian” sounds familiar, it may because you’ve tried one of their mouth-watering empanadas or Dolce de Leche cookies at the Delray GreenMarket. Now that summer’s here, GreenMarket vendors Ana Rosa and Alex Jochamowitz are busy growing their catering business and serving customers in their storefront restaurant. 

Eat Peruvian owners, Ana Rosa and Alex

Ceviche, Anyone?

One of Ana Rosa and Alex’s most requested dishes is ceviche: chopped, fresh seafood “cooked” in a lime juice marinade. Seasoned with aji amarillo (Peruvian yellow pepper), cilantro, and onions, ceviche cools you down and re-energizes you at the same time.

“You can actually lose weight eating ceviche!” says Ana Rosa. “Dr. Oz says lime boosts your metabolism.”  To balance the tartness, ceviche is served with a bit of sweet potato and a spoonful of giant corn kernels. You can wash it down with some Chica Morada, a cold beer, or a glass of wine.

“We love cooking together, being creative with the dishes,” says Alex, who serves different traditional Peruvian entrées each day of the week. The special dish on Sundays is Carapulca, made with dried potatoes and either pork or seafood, flavored with chocolate, peanuts, wine, and spices. Now that’s my idea of Inca Heaven.

More About Eat Peruvian Bakery & Cafe 

• Storefront: 3210 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, FL 33462, on the southeast corner of Lantana Road and S. Congress Avenue
• Phone:  (561) 964-5559
• Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Friday, 11am – 6pm. Saturday & Sunday, 11am – 8pm. Closed Mondays.
• Website: www.EatPeruvian.com