Black Pepper Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Sweet, jammy figs and tender zucchini noodles make for a salad that feels genuinely special without requiring much effort at all. The apple cider vinaigrette pulls everything together with a bright, tangy sweetness — honey, turmeric, ginger, and a touch of garlic give it real depth without relying on any heat from peppercorns. That matters more than you might think, since so many dressings and spice blends default to black pepper as a background note, making it tricky to find something flavorful but safe. Here, the warmth comes entirely from ginger and turmeric, so the dressing is bold and interesting on its own terms. Salting the zucchini and squeezing out the excess moisture is the small but crucial step that keeps the noodles from going watery and diluting all that good flavor. Baby arugula and torn basil add a peppery, herbal lift that makes the whole bowl feel fresh and layered. Finish it with fresh mint if you have it — it's the kind of detail that takes a great salad to something you'll want to make on repeat.
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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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