The return of veggie pizza: this is the new proposal of the healthiest pizzeria in Lima

In 2012, four brothers decided to make a change in their lifestyle. One of them had to start eating much healthier because his biochemical tests were not very encouraging. They decided to cook traditional dishes in their healthiest version. Later, they began to take these preparations to family and friends gatherings, and almost without meaning to, Mario, Jose, Juanfran and Miguel Melgar founded veggie pizza, a space in Barranco where you can eat well; prioritizing the health of diners.

The Melgar brothers had heard that plant-based eating had many science-proven health benefits. Miguel Melgar remembers that he knew that with this eating pattern, his older brother could improve his health; so he encouraged all his brothers to eat the same way. He considered that if everyone ate the same, it would be easier for Mario to have this change. “He came from Denmark weighing 120 kg and the doctors told him: ‘if you continue with these habits, if you don’t feel like changing, you better go home and die.’ In Denmark the doctors are much more direct. We said no. We trained him, we changed his diet, and he lost 50 kg. And we thought: ‘if we could help Mario, we can help others too’. That’s how it all started,” adds Miguel.

From 2013 to 2019 they did not stop sharing health through their meals. And its square pizzas filled with vegetables, homemade tomato sauce and functional foods became well known among the vegetarian community and those who wanted to eat delicious and full of nutrients.

“Our pizza is square because the little oven we started with was a small electric one and that’s the only way the pizza dough entered. In addition, we found it more useful that it comes cut into squares to be able to eat in one bite and that each of the squares had the same amount of vegetables”, recalls Miguel Melgar, the brother in charge of creating the recipes and transforming the traditional ones into their healthier version.

The young chef remembers that when they started this project, they used things they had at home and that little by little, thanks to the talent of each of the brothers, Veggie Pizza took shape. One was in charge of keeping the numbers, another of the brothers was in charge of the operational part, the recipes were created by another of the Melgar clan and the interior design was in charge of JuanFra, another of the brothers.

For Miguel, it is vital that when you finish eating you feel energized and refreshed to continue doing your pending activities. “The ‘after feeling’ is very important for us. We do not like that after eating people feel tired or without energy. Food should give you energy after eating and not turn you off. We are very clear about that.”Add.

The return of Veggie Pizza

For a time Veggie Pizza closed its doors, but it wasn’t goodbye, just a see you later. In the midst of a pandemic, the opportunity arose to open a new location, this time in Santiago de Chile. Miguel and his three brothers took their best recipes and business idea to the southern country and opened a place that has currently managed to win over vegans and non-vegans.

The return of Veggie Pizza brings an entirely plant-based cheese as a novelty. For those of us who have followed the brand since its inception, we know that before they offered traditional cheese, but that in the search for health, Miguel found veganism. It was no longer just a health issue, but also one of respect for all sentient beings and the environment. For this reason, they decided to give it a twist and create a cashew-based cheese that resembles the flavor and texture of the traditional one, with the great difference that it goes through a fermentation process that provides important nutrients such as fiber and is fat-free. harmful to the heart. Undoubtedly a perfect mix between respecting animals and taking care of health.

“After being on hiatus for two years, we opened a new location in Santiago de Chile at the end of 2020. This time with a 100% ‘plant based’ proposal. It took us a lot of testing and time to create a cheese that is both nutritious and delicious.”, says Miguel. Currently, there are many cheese replacements but they do not provide nutrients, only flavor. So for him, it was important to create a perfect mix: flavor and nutrition.

Miguel indicates that what they seek is to create a healthy trend in Peru, which he calls “healthy comfort food”. In other words, that the food that usually generates that feeling of comfort and that reminds you of moments of joy can be made from quality ingredients, but without losing its great flavor.

The chef emphasizes that his pizzas are made on stone, that they only use olive oil for the dressings and that they have achieved that each piece of the pizza has a large amount of vegetables that when eaten, people forget that it does not have any Animal origin. “We use spices and foods that generate health. For example, we add turmeric which, when complemented by pepper, enhances its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory power. The tomato, when converted into a sauce, has more lycopene (a great antioxidant)”, Add.

But Veggie Pizza not only cares about the health of its guests and the welfare of animals. They are also responsible with the environment, with everyone’s home. “We have three pillars that govern Veggie Pizza: be responsible with oneself, with others and with the planet”, comments Miguel, while pointing to that phrase printed on the polo shirts of each one of the team members.

The letter

In this menu, Veggie Pizza offers three entrees to share. The first is some garlic sticks with vegan cheese and that is accompanied with hummus (s / 15). The second is the Happy Village (s/24), a dish that is made with artichoke hearts and mushrooms that are accompanied with chopped tomato and pesto.

And the third is their traditional quinoa tabbouleh with lettuce tacos (s/20).

As for the pizzas, they have 9 flavors. The advantage is that when you order one you can order up to four flavors in one. The dough is made from wholemeal flour and we find it in large and medium sizes. The large one (s/70) is for two or three people; and the median (s/35) which is for one or two people.

Among the flavors that should not be missed are: Royal Garden (tomato sauce, vegan cheese, corn, mushrooms, asparagus, avocado and black sesame), Bruschetta (tomato sauce, vegan cheese, diced tomato, basil and crispy leek ), Fruits from the garden (tomato sauce, vegan cheese, golden pineapple, green pepper and white onion), Veggie Pizza (tomato sauce, vegan cheese, cherry tomato, golden berry, pecans and basil), Country dreams (pesto sauce, cheese, tomato confit, mushrooms, chestnuts and sprouts) and Aurora Borealis (chancaca honey, tofu, strawberry, pineapple, blueberries, pecan, basil and lemon zest).

To close, for dessert we have a delicious vegan brownie filled with peanut butter chocolate fugde sweetened with dates. As for drinks, it has a large number of fruity waters, organic and certified vegan wines, as well as craft beers.

Each square piece of the pizzas is a bomb of flavor, which will convince anyone that a good pizza does not need any ingredient of animal origin to be delicious. The thin and crispy dough allows the diner to try many flavors. The table is served and enjoy a healthy and rich banquet.