Salads
Ceviche de Chochos
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- 300g (2 cups) Cooked, de-bittered lupin beans (chochos)
- 2 Tomatoes, finely diced
- 1 Red onion, finely diced
- 1 Small red bell pepper, finely diced
- from 4-5 limes Lime juice
- 2 tbsp Tomato juice or ketchup
- 2 tbsp Chopped fresh cilantro
- to taste Salt and pepper
- to serve Toasted corn kernels (tostado) or plantain chips
Method
- If starting from dried lupin beans, ensure they have been soaked and rinsed thoroughly over several days to remove natural bitterness (or use pre-prepared chochos).
- Combine the lupin beans, diced tomato, onion and red pepper in a large bowl.
- Add lime juice and tomato juice, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper, and let the mixture marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
- Stir through fresh cilantro just before serving, and serve chilled with toasted corn kernels or plantain chips on the side.
Introduction: Ceviche de chochos is a vegetarian Andean take on ceviche, using lupin beans (chochos) — a nutrient-dense legume cultivated in Ecuador for centuries — marinated in lime, tomato and onion.
Cultural Background: Ceviche de chochos is a vegetarian Andean take on ceviche, using lupin beans (chochos) — a nutrient-dense legume cultivated in Ecuador for centuries — marinated in lime, tomato and onion. Popular in Quito and other highland cities as a light, tangy snack or side, often sold from street carts alongside toasted corn.
Tips: Chochos must be properly de-bittered before use — this is usually done through days of soaking and rinsing, so using a trusted pre-prepared or canned product is the practical route for home cooks outside Ecuador.
Variations: Some versions add diced avocado or a splash of orange juice for sweetness; a seafood version combines chochos with shrimp for a heartier ceviche. Already vegan as written.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days; flavours intensify the longer it sits.
Reheating: Serve cold; this dish is not intended to be reheated.
Nutrition: Approx. 180 kcal, 12g protein, 4g fat, 24g carbohydrates per serving.
FAQs:
Q: What are chochos?
A: Chochos are lupin beans, a protein-rich Andean legume that requires thorough soaking to remove natural bitter alkaloids before eating.
Q: Is this the same as fish ceviche?
A: No — this is a plant-based ceviche using marinated lupin beans instead of raw fish, though it follows a similar lime-marinated preparation style.
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