Fatty duck? Not so fast.

Duck is one of my favorite foods — roasted, braised, the legs confitted, the wings fried, the breasts grilled like a steak — it's just plain scrumptious.

Watermelon now ranks as a year-round sweet satisfaction

Elizabeth Dumelle used to associate watermelon as the menu must of picnics and the beach.

Music and munchies equal Taste of Thornton Township

Nine-year-old Jose Ramerez gets a ride in a 1903 Olds drivern by Dick Wiseman at the Taste of Thornton Township on Saturday in South Holland.

Music and munchies equal Taste of Thornton Township

Eric Chan prepares a fried rice and vegetable tempura for South Holland resident Marjorie Johnson at the Taste of Thornton Township on Saturday at the Township Hall in South Holland.

Music and munchies equal Taste of Thornton Township

The highlight of the Taste of Thornton Township on Saturday was a performance by The Chi-Lites, led onto the stage by Marshall Thompson for a tribute to Carl Davis, a Chicago record producer who worked with the Duke of Earl, Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance, Walter Jackson and Jackie Wilson in t…

Patrons taste their way through fairgrounds

Visitors to the Taste of Porter County check out food vendors Saturday at the Porter County Expo Center. Additional arts, crafts and other items also were on display inside the center.

Patrons taste their way through fairgrounds

Fudge Puppies hang at the Chocolate Lab vendor booth during the Taste of Porter County on Saturday at the Porter County Expo Center. The taste continues on Sunday.

Patrons taste their way through fairgrounds

Lamont Gillis, of Gary, lathers baby back ribs with barbecue sauce at the Time To Eat Bar-B-Que booth Saturday during the Taste of Porter County at the Porter County Expo Center. The event, which also includes a variety of arts and crafts displays, continues Sunday.

Patrons taste their way through fairgrounds

Natalie Moyado, of Portage, exhibits some of her artwork at the the Taste of Porter County on Saturday at the Porter County Expo Center. The event continues Sunday.

TASTE OF PORTER

Charlie Richardson of Valparaiso bites into a marinated beef tenderloin skewer with gorgonzola cream sauce from Paparazzi's restaurant while his mother Melissa and brother Jackson watch him at last year's Taste of Porter County.

Taste of East Chicago slated Aug. 12-14 at Block Stadium

EAST CHICAGO | The city is hosting the Taste of East Chicago from Aug. 12 through 14 at Block Stadium at the corner of 144th and Parrish Avenue.

C.P.'s Main Street sizzles with a bigger Taste

Diners enjoy the fare Friday on Main Street in Crown Point during Taste of the Region. The food festival continues from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today on the Old Lake County Courthouse lawn and square.

C.P.'s Main Street sizzles with a bigger Taste

Robert Miller, general manager of Lucrezia Cafe, holds a plate of bacon-wrapped diver scallop on Granny Smith apple slaw Friday at Taste of the Region in Crown Point.

C.P.'s Main Street sizzles with a bigger Taste

Randy Szafareczyk, of Crown Point, makes a buffalo chicken wrap and pita sandwich at his Sweet and Savory Delights booth Friday during Taste of the Region in Crown Point.

C.P.'s Main Street sizzles with a bigger Taste

Crawfish and dirty rice is one dish Ellen's Good Eats is offering during Taste of the Region in Crown Point. The food festival started Friday and continues today.

C.P.'s Main Street sizzles with a bigger Taste

Mike Adams, the "hot dog guy," sets up shop Friday on Main and Clark streets during Taste of the Region in Crown Point.

C.P.'s Main Street sizzles with a bigger Taste

Julissa Martinez, of Portage, prepares chocolate-covered strawberries Friday at the booth for Jill's Sweets & Treats during Taste of the Region in Crown Point.

C.P.'s Main Street sizzles with a bigger Taste

Rachel Varnes prepares crawfish Friday at the booth for Ellen's Good Eats during Taste of the Region in Crown Point.

Infrastructure ready for development

Chesterton residents Joyce Beck, left, and Jill Yarosz buy string cheese, their favorite, from Hal Brown at a booth in September during the Taste of Duneland in downtown Chesterton.