Zucchini, fig and goat’s cheese salad

by Joanne Sharkey, FGHG acupuncturist

In Chinese medicine theory, eating seasonal food is an important part of gaining balance and health and encourages us to live harmoniously in our natural environment. Eating cucumbers and mint in summer will cool you down, and in winter eating pumpkin soup with ginger and garlic will help you feel warm and satisfied, and guess what cucumbers and mint grow in summer as does pumpkin in winter. The best way to buy seasonal fruit and veg is to buy what is in abundance and cheap at your local green grocer and supermarket, or if you grow your own you will easily know if it’s in season or not!

I easily knew the fruit and vegetable in this salad were in season as the zucchini, figs, mint and chilli came from my garden. This salad is full of fibre and flavour. The sweetness of the figs, contrasts the saltiness of the Goat’s cheese, the sourness of the lime, the freshness of the mint and the heat of the chilli. Fibre from fruit and veggies helps us feel full and satisfied, while being food for our beneficial gut bacteria. This salad will also help you meet your daily requirements for beneficial minerals and vitamins such as potassium, calcium, folate and vitamin C.

Ingredients

3-4 zucchinis, cut into ribbons, using a wide vegetable peeler
a handful of mint leaves
2-3 Figs, chopped
1 fresh chilli (or to taste), finely sliced
juice of half a lime
2 tablespoons of olive oil
A handful of roasted almonds, chopped
50g Goats cheese (or more, to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Simply place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Serve with grilled or panfried salmon, a poached egg or lightly fried tofu.