Merengue de Lúcuma

This, along with nearly all Peruvian desserts, has its roots in Europe. The Quechua people sweetened their foods with natural fruits but did not eat sugar. The Spanish brought sugar cane to the New World and within a short time Peru became the largest single consumer of sugar in the colonies. Peruvians still have an extremely sweet tooth. This delicately crisp meringue cake filled with lúcuma and smothered in crème chantilly is a feast for the eyes and the palate.