Sesame Free Fig & Zucchini Noodle Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This vibrant salad is a stunning collision of sweet, peppery, and bright — fresh figs bring jammy richness, zucchini noodles add a satisfying bite, and baby arugula keeps everything lively. The apple cider vinaigrette is where the magic really happens: a quick whisk of olive oil, honey, turmeric, ginger, and garlic creates a golden, warmly spiced dressing that ties every element together beautifully. Salting the zucchini and letting it drain before dressing is a small but crucial step that keeps the whole bowl from turning watery, so the flavors stay bold and concentrated. Many store-bought dressings and pre-made salad kits sneak in tahini or other sesame-derived ingredients, but this one is built entirely from scratch with a clean, simple ingredient list you can trust. Every component here is naturally free from sesame in any form — no hidden oils, no toasted seeds, no ambiguity. Torn basil and optional fresh mint make it feel genuinely restaurant-worthy without any extra effort. It's the kind of dish that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together fast enough for a weeknight.
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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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