Celery Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Fresh figs and spiralized zucchini make for a salad that feels genuinely special — the kind of thing you'd order at a farm-to-table restaurant and then immediately try to recreate at home. The zucchini noodles get salted and drained first, which draws out excess moisture so the vinaigrette clings beautifully rather than pooling at the bottom of the bowl. That dressing is a real standout: apple cider vinegar, honey, turmeric, and ginger come together into something bright, warm, and just a little complex. Peppery arugula and torn basil round out the greens, while the quartered figs add jammy sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color in every bite. Every ingredient here is naturally free of celery and celery derivatives — no hidden stalks, seeds, or celeriac lurking in a store-bought dressing to worry about. It's a light but satisfying dish that works beautifully as a starter or a warm-weather lunch, and it comes together with very little effort once the noodles have had their quick rest in the colander.
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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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