Believe it or not, an Italian cookery text from 1475 promoted flan as a health food, listing a slew of ailments that it was thought to cure. Ah, the good old days. Unfortunately, much of what we’ve learned over the past 529 years has diminished the milky egg custard’s status as a dietary staple. But an occasional indulgence never hurts, so make the trip to La Casa de Pedro, in Watertown, where the delectable coconut flan is worth every ounce of guilt.

People who don’t care for flan often compare its wiggly, jiggly consistency to Jell-O. At La Casa de Pedro, however, the gorgeous, dense custard has a texture more reminiscent of loose cheesecake, yet it still boasts the creamy, rich sweetness for which flan is adored. Coarse coconut adds contrast and a gentle tropical flavor, and the dessert is perfectly finished off with a generous drizzle of caramelized-sugar syrup and a sprinkling of ground cinnamon. It may not be health food, but it will surely make you happy. That’s good for something, isn’t it?

Available for $3.50 at La Casa de Pedro, 51 Main Street, in Watertown. Call (617) 923-8025.