Gelatin Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Fresh figs and zucchini noodles might sound like an unexpected pairing, but this salad is genuinely stunning — sweet, peppery, herby, and bright all at once. The zucchini gets spiralized or ribbon-cut, salted to draw out moisture, and then tossed with baby arugula and torn basil before the whole thing gets draped with quartered figs and a golden apple cider vinaigrette. That dressing — built from olive oil, honey, turmeric, ginger, and garlic — is the kind of thing you'll want to put on everything. Because every component here is a whole, recognizable ingredient, there's no need to scrutinize labels for hidden additives or worry about unexpected animal-derived thickeners that can sneak into store-bought dressings and packaged salad kits. Salting and squeezing the zucchini before dressing it is the small but crucial step that keeps the whole salad from turning watery, so don't skip it. Serve it immediately after tossing so the figs stay plump and the arugula keeps its bite — this one is best eaten the moment it comes together.
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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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