This Fresh Fig Salad with Arugula, and Quinoa is Perfect for Savoring Late Summer
This vegan fig salad takes advantage of nature's late summer jammy candy. The sweet addition of chewy fig to peppery arugula, nutty quinoa and pumpkin seeds give you all the flavors and textures you crave. Get the recipe now.
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The long, balmy days of midsummer are gone, but before fall firmly settles into place, we have loads of late summer bounty to enjoy. This arugula, quinoa, and fresh fig salad isn’t just tasty, beautiful, and seasonal – it’s jammed with nutrients, too.
This not-too-heavy salad pairs beautifully with our smoky and Spicy Quinoa and Black Bean Burger and Grilled Artichokes With Gremolata. Pack it alongside the dreamy Curry Chicken Salad or elevated Potato Salad With Artichokes, Feta, and Olive Relish and bring to any summer outing. Round off this warm weather feast with our cool and creamy Panna Cotta Pie With Fresh Berries.
This Fresh Fig Salad Boasts Mega Health Benefits
Although dried figs are available throughout the year, there is nothing quite like a fresh, juicy fig in the late summer months. Fragrant and oh-so-sweet, fresh figs are a seasonal fruit to gobble up while you can.
Fresh figs are abundant in a variety of vitamins and minerals including vitamin B6 and K, copper, manganese, calcium, and potassium. They also contain a hefty dose of fiber, which aids in digestive regularity, and antioxidants noted to reduce free radical damage and protect cells against disease.
In fact, a variety of different antioxidants are found in the leaves, fruit, pulp, and skin of fresh figs, according to this 2015 study. (Dried figs, BTW, may contain even more antioxidants, which is a good excuse to snack on them when the fresh ones aren’t available.)
A 2014 review showed that figs have been used in over 40 medicinal applications for the treatment of diseases like anemia, cancer, diabetes, liver diseases, paralysis, skin diseases, and ulcers, among others.
There are hundreds of varieties of figs, but only a few can commonly be found at the supermarket. Look for Black Mission figs, which are deep purple with pink flesh, or Brown Turkey figs, which have maple-brown skin and purple-pink flesh. Other varieties to look for are Sierra, Calimyrna, King, and Kadota figs.
The Flavors of this Juicy Fig Salad are Simply Delicious
This fresh fig salad is made up of fresh and peppery arugula, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and a tangy balsamic vinegar dressing. If you close your eyes for just a moment, as you chew on one bite of this salad, you just might think you’re in Italy! It’s great to have alongside a picnic or barbecue, and makes a pretty presentation at dinner parties – especially if you choose a simple yet elegant serving platter.
We’re big fans of this beautiful serving platter from Made In, hand-crafted in England from high-alumina vitrified china for a strong finish so durable the company guarantees it chip-free for a year. It’s no wonder it’s a stalwart of some of the world’s best restaurants and hotels. And there’s something so elegant about serving such a brightly colored salad on a white dish where the colors pop.
To turn up the Italian experience, we love finishing our salads, pastas and veg, with a drizzle of our favorite fruity, extra-virgin olive oil, Manni’s Oil of Life. Made from the first press of superior-grade, antioxidant-rich organic olives grown in rich organic volcanic soil straight from Tuscany (and it’s literally shipped overnight from the mill). This elegant, nutrient-packed oil boasts a mild yet complex aroma that complements the seasonal flavors in this salad without overpowering them.
It’s a decidedly delicious – and beautiful – way to savor the end of sweet summer.
Here’s How to Make This Fresh Summer Salad With Figs
Ingredients
Balsamic Vinegar Salad Dressing
Fig Salad
Preparation
- First, prepare the dressing. Add olive oil, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, and honey or agave to a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the arugula and cooked quinoa to a large salad bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat completely. Add the figs and pumpkin seeds, and toss to combine.
- Serve fig salad immediately and enjoy!
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