Duck Cracklings (or Quacklings)
A crunchy quacker waiting to be loved again [Photo credit: Alex Paternostro]
by Seth Paternostro
November 12, 2021
In a waddling line no longer, ducks have got snacks built right in: Quack, Quack, Crunch! Just like how bacon gains its particularly popular crisp from a happy hog’s bulging belly, ducks keep warm on the water and in the winter with plenty of fat under their thick skin. When the farmer comes a loppin’, and you get to choppin’, respect the bird, and make it better than bacon.
Makes about 1 cup
Total time
45 minutes
Equipment:
cutting board, chef’s knife or cleaver, kitchen towel or paper towels, small saucepan, wooden stirring spoon, fine mesh strainer, bowl
Tableware:
small bowls
Ingredients
Skin of 1 duck
Fine sea salt, as needed
Instructions
Set out all equipment and ingredients.
Heat the saucepan over very low.
Clean the skin of any feathers and fluff. Dry thoroughly.
Cut the skin into 2-inch-by-1-inch strips. Mix with a generous pinch of salt.
Place the skin into the saucepan, and slowly render all of the fat. Stir occasionally to prevent the skin from sticking to the bottom.
When the fat has fully rendered and the skin is submerged in fat, turn the heat up to medium.
Cook until the skin pieces are golden brown.
Pour into a fine mesh strainer with a bowl under it to catch the fat.
Salt the quacklings generously, and allow to cool and crisp in the strainer.
Enjoy as a snack or an elegant topping to salads.
NUTRITION FACTS:
Calories 420 Total Fat 41.3g (63.5%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Cholesterol 61.5mg (20.5%) Sodium 170.5mg (7.1%) Total Carbohydrate 0g (0%) Dietary Fiber 0g (0%) Total Sugars 0g Protein 10.3g Vitamin D 0mcg (0%) Calcium 7.7mg (1%) Iron 2mg (10%) Potassium 109.5mg (3%) - Note: Please read our Nutrition Disclaimer.
Seth Paternostro is a writer and recipe developer based in Chicago. He is a co-founder of Our American Cuisine and graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in East Asian Studies. You can learn more about him here.
Cooked the dish? Please share it with friends!
Tag us on Instagram @ouramericancuisine, join our mailing list, and follow us on social media for more of our favorite recipes, essays, and more!