Nutmeg Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This salad is a stunning collision of sweet, peppery, and bright — fresh figs draped over tender zucchini noodles with a golden apple cider vinaigrette that pulls everything together beautifully. The dressing gets its warm depth from turmeric and ginger rather than any of the more common spice-rack additions, so anyone avoiding nutmeg can dig in without a second thought. Salting the zucchini and squeezing out the excess moisture before dressing is the kind of small step that makes a huge difference, keeping every bite vibrant instead of watery. Baby arugula and torn basil add layers of herby, slightly bitter contrast that make the jammy figs taste even more luxurious. It's the sort of dish that looks like it came from a restaurant but comes together in well under half an hour with nothing more than a spiralizer and a whisk. Serve it immediately so the noodles stay lively and the figs hold their shape — this one is best eaten the moment it hits the table.
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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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