Question: I’ve always thought that duckling was fatty and greasy, but I
recently heard it’s more healthy than chicken. Is that true?
Answer: According to the USDA, a skinless breast of White Pekin duckling
contains fewer calories and fat than the same portion of skinless chicken breast
and is very comparable in fat and calories to skinless turkey breast.
In addition, by properly cooking the duck you can eliminate about 70 percent
of the fat, which leaves a delicious crisp skin that adds to the distinct flavor
of the meat.
Question: I don’t like strong "gamey" flavored meat. Do you think
I would like eating duck?
Answer: Yes. A farm-raised, White Pekin duckling, which has been fed an
all natural diet of grains, has a very distinct, delicious flavor that is not
gamey. The pekin, or "Long Island Style" is the breed most Americans
prefer, and the kind you will find in most restaurants and grocery stores.
Duckling is poultry, however, unlike chicken and turkey it is all red meat.
White Pekin duckling, when properly prepared, eats more like a steak than
chicken, but has its own mild, succulent flavor.
Question: I’ve always liked eating roast duck during the holidays, do you
have any suggestions for the rest of the year?
Answer: Of course. Duckling is a very versatile meat. Because it’s
poultry, it can be used instead of chicken or turkey in most recipes, and as a
red meat, it also makes a good substitute for beef. Duckling tastes great in
many different types of cuisine including Italian, Asian, Latin, French and
American of course. It is easy to prepare and can be sautéed, grilled or oven
roasted. This means that you can use it as an appetizer or entrée, in soup or
chili, on a salad or pizza, and with any pasta, rice or vegetable. So as you can
see, duckling can be used in many more ways than a traditional holiday meal.
Question: Where can I get duckling?
Answer: Duckling is available through restaurants, grocery chains,
gourmet retailers and Web sites. For more information and recipes featuring
White Pekin duckling, contact Maple Leaf Farms, the leading producer of duckling
in the United States at (800) 348-2812 or visit www.mapleleaffarms.com.
Source: NAPSI (7/12/01)