Marisa's Healthy Kitchen

I love love love figs! They are so sweet and quite possibly the best fruit ever! This dish has so many elements and so many flavors yet works so perfectly with the figs. This was very filling as there was so many ingredients involved. I loved the whole dish as it was so delightful! I always appreciate zucchini pasta but this was one of the best preparations I have seen so far. The summer brings us so many gorgeous vegetables and this dish really takes advantage of them. Enjoy the figs while they are still in season!

Fig Fennel Pasta
Recipe adapted from Living Light
Serves 4-6

4 medium zucchini
1 tablespoon sea salt

Dressing:
1 cup basil leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup pine nuts
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 fresh figs, destemmed
2 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon ground fennel seed

Salad Ingredients:
1 cup tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup yellow or red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
8 fresh black or green figs, sliced
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoon capers
2 tablespoons fresh basil, cut into long thin strands
1 tablespoon scallions, very finely sliced
2 teaspoons fresh tarragon, minced
2 teaspoon parsley, minced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1. Use a spiralizer to slice the zucchini into long noodles. Add one tablespoon salt to the zucchini noodles and toss thoroughly. Allow it to stand at room temperature for 15 – 20 minutes while preparing the dressing and vegetables.
2. Put ingredients for dressing together in a blender and puree.
3. Put the dressing and the remaining ingredients, except salted zucchini, in a large bowl and toss thoroughly.
4. Gently squeeze the excess liquid from the zucchini, rinse and drain well. Pat zucchini noodles dry, and add them to the vegetables. Toss everything together gently and salt to taste. Serve chilled.