Sweet of the Week: Lucuma Mousse at Via Lima

Peruvian food is some of the prettiest, most vibrant cooking in the world. Utilizing a kaleidoscope of colors, flavors, and textures, the South American cuisine begets some seriously standout fare. This is especially evident with dessert, a facet of cooking in Peru that lends itself to striations of purples, yellows, oranges, and a miscellany of textures. For a prime example of this, head to Via Lima and order the lucuma mousse. North Center's new Peruvian sensation does a fine job across the board, and this creamy, fruity dessert is an apt way to punctuate a particularly memorable dining experience. 

 

Lucuma is a subtropical fruit native to Peru. With a dark green skin and a bright yellow interior, not only does it look strikingly unique, but the flavor stands out just as boldly. The fibrous texture of the innards are easily transformed into custards, mousses, and ice creams, ideal for dessert preparation thanks to its caramel-y, maple-y flavor. At Via Lima, lucuma is transformed into a luscious mousse, rich with flavor of butterscotch pudding. It's pleasantly light, bedecked with a hefty dollop of whipped cream, a fudgy swirl of chocolate, and a couple spears of shortbread. Navigate your way through the melange and reap the savorous benefits of Peru's fine flavors. 

- Matt Kirouac