Nitrate & Nitrite Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This salad is a stunning combination of sweet, peppery, and bright — fresh figs bring jammy richness, zucchini noodles add a light, satisfying bite, and baby arugula keeps everything lively. The apple cider vinegar dressing, warmed up with turmeric and ginger, ties it all together with a golden, aromatic finish that feels anything but ordinary. Every single ingredient here is whole and unprocessed, which means you're not navigating labels or worrying about hidden preservatives that often sneak into packaged dressings and cured toppings. Salting the zucchini and squeezing out the excess moisture is a small but crucial step — it keeps the noodles from going watery and ensures the vinaigrette clings to every strand. The result is a salad that's genuinely refreshing and elegant enough to serve to guests, yet simple enough to throw together on a weeknight. Torn basil and optional fresh mint push the herbaceous notes even further, making each forkful feel like peak summer on a plate.
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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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