Unique Uruguay Duck Hunting Recipe: Duck Pate

Like everyone else at duck camp, I used to always put on a few pounds during hunting season and spent the summer losing them.  Now "it's ducks season somewhere" and that is more the exception than the rule.

Different species and higher bag limits, taken during the time of year that US seasons are closed, are part of the allure to traveling.  Besides hunting quality or quantity, everyone enjoys the food, lodging and atmosphere experienced while wing shooting abroad.

Food-wise, I live by "when in Rome" and try it all.  I loved grilled armadillo as prepared by some gauchos once, but still haven't acquired a taste for blood sausage.  As a native Mississippian, I almost hate to admit that the most delicous catfish I've ever enjoyed came not from my own hot grease but from a stove-top near the northern Argentina's Parana River (topped with heavy cream sauce and capers, it's apples to oranges as compared to cornmeal-battered catfish back home, but it was damned good).

I've collected some favorite recipes from around the world. Because hunting season has begun in upper flyway states and Canada, and will be here in the Deep South in just a few weeks, it seems a good time to share a duck appetizer recipe that my friend and I enjoyed during an exploratory Uruguay duck hunting trip near the Brazilian border last June.  The duck hunting was excellent, the atmosphere was surprisingly at-home-at-Arkansas-duck camp, and the food was excellent.

MERIN DE LAGO DUCK PATE

Ingredients:
6 duck breasts, parboiled until tender (in Uruguay, rosy-billed pochard or teal are favored.  Substitute with your favorite species)
5 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1-2 clove of garlic, minced
½ red bell pepper, chopped
2 c Mayonaisse
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: Cool duck meat and chop in food processor.  Add rest of ingredients; mix well.  Note: Mix mayonnaise with only the amount of pate to be consumed. Enjoy among friends as cracker spread.

Duck hunting and duck camp food are best shared with friends and family. Enjoy.

Ramsey Russell ‘s GetDucks.com is a full-time, full-service travel agency that specializes in wing shooting with major emphasis on trophy duck species and trophy duck hunting experiences. Our expert travel assistance includes not only reviews of each destination to ensure the best wingshooting location at the right time, but minimizes travel complaints by providing customized itineraries, airline schedules, customs assistance, hunting licenses and permits, hotels, dining, car rentals, travel insurance, and trophy bird importation to our taxidermist or yours.  Your trip of a lifetime deserves – and gets – our full attention.