All ducks are not created equal.
Take the regal domesticated Muscovy duck, of South American origin, a delicacy in the quack quack world.
It's the only duck not derived from the mallard family. It's plump — male ducks get to be 12 pounds, females 7, compared to most of their cousins that weigh in at a svelte 5 to 7 pounds, according to feathersite.com.
The Muscovy are colorful —white, black, chocolate and blue — with a distinctive, bright red crest around their eyes and above their beak.
They do not swim; they spend most of their time on the land and in the air. Unlike most domestic waterfowl that nest on the ground, they fly up to roost in trees.
When it comes to eating, these ducks are arguably the best. They're lean, meaty and tender, with nary a hint of the grease you find in most duck meat. In fact, one bite will remind you more of veal than duck.
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At the Grill at Hacienda del Sol, they sear the duck, slice it thin and serve it with a peppery marmalade and a chile bordelaise as an appetizer.
