BHA & BHT Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This salad is a stunning collision of sweet, peppery, and bright — fresh figs draped over spiralized zucchini noodles, baby arugula, and torn basil, all pulled together with a golden apple cider vinaigrette. The dressing gets its warm depth from turmeric and ginger, while honey rounds out the acidity without any processed additives to worry about. Every single ingredient here is whole and unprocessed, which is exactly what makes this a natural fit for anyone avoiding synthetic preservatives like BHA and BHT — no label-scanning required. Salting and draining the zucchini first is a small but essential step that keeps the noodles from going watery and diluting that beautifully balanced dressing. The figs bring a jammy richness that makes this feel far more indulgent than a simple vegetable salad has any right to. It comes together quickly and looks gorgeous on the plate, making it just as appropriate for a weeknight dinner as it is for a casual summer gathering.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 3 medium zucchini (about 1 ½ lb total), ends trimmed
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 8 fresh figs, quartered
- 2 cups baby arugula
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
For the vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Spiralize the zucchini into long noodles using a spiralizer, or draw a vegetable peeler lengthwise along each zucchini to create wide ribbons. Place the noodles in a colander set over the sink, toss with 1/2 tsp salt, and let stand for 10 minutes until the noodles have released some moisture and softened slightly.
- 2
While the zucchini drains, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl until the honey is fully dissolved and the dressing is uniform in color.
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