ISSUE 5
March Harvest: Greenheart’s Butternut Squash & Sage
Celebrating Local Flavors and Sustainable Farming
Teible is a restaurant committed to discovering the finest local ingredients and delivering the pure flavors of nature through its dishes.
Along with our passion for fresh, healthy produce, we also endeavor to minimize the environmental impact of food production by collaborating closely with regional farms. In this fifth issue of MAGAZINE I, we introduce the mildly sweet Butternut Squash and the fragrant Sage. Grown at Greenheart in Sharjah, these two ingredients are in peak season right now, and we’re thrilled to share their special qualities with you.
Greenheart, Sharjah
Greenheart is an innovative farm that maintains strict principles of zero pesticides and zero chemical fertilizers, ensuring freshness and flavor in every crop. Despite the scorching climate in Sharjah, it employs various sustainable agricultural methods to grow healthy vegetables and herbs while conserving water and energy. Thanks to abundant sunlight, careful irrigation, and dedicated care, Greenheart proudly produces a wide array of crops, including Butternut Squash and Sage, each boasting deep flavors and excellent quality.
Production & Quality
To cultivate both ingredients, Greenheart focuses on soil nutrition and microbial ecosystems through crop rotation, natural fertilizers, and microbial treatments. By leveraging Sharjah’s climate to maximize the sweetness of squash and ensuring Sage grows without suffering from dehydration or pests—thanks to fine-tuned irrigation systems and shading—the farm produces Butternut Squash and Sage infused with a distinct local character and the farmer’s attentive care.
Ingredient Story
Though Butternut Squash and Sage originally hail from Western regions, they have adapted remarkably well to Sharjah’s soil, showcasing their unique tastes and aromas.
Butternut Squash
Stands out for its smooth texture and subtle sweetness among the squash family. Benefiting from Sharjah’s intense sunlight and a carefully controlled temperature and humidity environment, this squash develops a higher sugar content and firmer flesh, resulting in a richer taste when cooked.
Sage
Sage has a slightly bitter yet refreshingly pine-like scent, pairing beautifully with rich or sweet ingredients. Sharjah’s ample sunlight enhances the herb’s flavor, making the leaves plump and yielding a more pronounced taste.
Butternut Squash
Stands out for its smooth texture and subtle sweetness among the squash family. Benefiting from Sharjah’s intense sunlight and a carefully controlled temperature and humidity environment, this squash develops a higher sugar content and firmer flesh, resulting in a richer taste when cooked.
Sage
Sage has a slightly bitter yet refreshingly pine-like scent, pairing beautifully with rich or sweet ingredients. Sharjah’s ample sunlight enhances the herb’s flavor, making the leaves plump and yielding a more pronounced taste.
Recipe
Chef’s Recommended Recipe: Ravioli Pumpkin
A refined yet comforting pasta dish featuring Butternut Squash and Sage
Interview with the Factory Manager
In this issue, we had the pleasure of preparing a few key questions to gain deeper insights into Greeneration’s farming philosophies and challenges.
Are there any special techniques you’ve developed to improve the taste of crops like Butternut Squash and Sage?
The majority of Greenheart produce is grown from organic heirloom seeds cultivated at the farm. Next to farming produce we are also ‘seed savers’. Traditional heirloom seeds grow slower than modern hybrid seeds but have better texture, flavour and nutrients. Modern seeds are designed to grow quickly in nutritionally deficient soil just with the aid of chemical fertilizers. This is why most vegetables today are bland and watery. At Greenheart we build strong soil through composting and we grow without chemical fettlers. This together with our seeds ensures maximum nutritional content and taste in all our produce.
When bringing your produce from farm to table, what is the core value or principle you prioritize most?
Speed and temperature! We have an efficient process. Between harvest and delivery there are a mere 4 – 6 hours. The crops always need to be kept cool and covered.
Among many varieties, why did you choose these particular crops, and are there other vegetables or herbs you’d like to grow in the future?
At Greenheart we believe in biodiversity. We use methods such as companion planting, medicinal herb planting and crop rotation. This is why we grow a large variety of crops such as root-vegetables, fruit-vegetables, greens and herbs. Variety is key to a healthy eco-system at the farm. Butternut squash is a good crop to grow in the UAE as it’s heat resilient, and we’ve had great success with cultivating our own seeds. We’re always looking into new water-efficient varieties that suit our desert climate.
Could you share any plans to adopt new technologies or expand your farm’s operations in the future?
We are always looking into more eco-friendly farming options that include water saving technologies, whilst sticking to our core principles of seed saving, composting and building a chemical free environment full of biodiversity
From your collaborations with restaurants, is there a memorable moment or experience that helped develop a new recipe or left a lasting impression?
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi has been one of our most loyal supporters over the years. They continuously develop new dishes based on our produce, much of which is grown in the Greenheart organic garden that we’ve set up and managed for them on site at their hotel. They hold events in this garden and people from all over the world come and see what we’re able to grow in the UAE climate with good old-fashioned organic farming techniques.
Consumer Feedback Stories
At Teible, our guests delight in the subtle flavor and elegant appeal that Greeneration’s blooms and herbs contribute to our dishes. From lightly garnished salads to intricately plated mains, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
“I recently tried the Burrata Salad, and it was a refreshing experience from start to finish. The creamy Burrata cheese was the star, its rich texture balancing beautifully with the peppery arugula. The citrus segments added a burst of brightness, pairing surprisingly well with the kumquat compote, which gave an intriguing, slightly tart sweetness. The citrus dressing tied everything together, bringing a zesty note that elevated the entire salad. And finally, the sourdough – perfectly toasted – added a satisfying crunch, making every bite complete. Highly recommend this dish if you’re looking for a light yet flavorful salad with a twist!”
Health Benefits of Butternut Squash
- High in Vitamins A and C: Supports vision, boosts the immune system, and promotes healthy skin.
- Contains Dietary Fiber: Helps create a feeling of fullness and aids digestion.
- Rich in Potassium and Magnesium: Essential nutrients for regulating blood pressure and maintaining muscle function.
Health Benefits of Sage
- Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant Effects: Helps reduce inflammation in the body and slows cellular aging.
- Aids Digestion: When paired with oily foods or meats, Sage can help ease digestive strain.
- Supports Cognitive Function Some studies suggest that Sage may help improve concentration and memory.
Sustainable Practices
Greenheart’s method of leveraging Sharjah’s climate, conserving water, and safeguarding the local ecosystem embodies a forward-thinking approach to farming. By using locally grown produce, Teible reduces transport-relate carbon emissions and supports the region’s economy. An agricultural model that harmonizes with nature, coupled with conscientious ingredient choices, not only fosters a healthy dining experience but also enriches our collective future.
Until Next Time
This concludes our introduction to Sharjah-grown Butternut Squash and Sage in the fifth issue of MAGAZINE I (March edition). Nurtured by the attentive touch of farmers and the rhythms of nature, these ingredients deliver a deeper, more robust flavor that perfectly captures the essence of the season.
In our next issue, we’ll feature more enticing local ingredients and the stories of the people who grow them. Until then, we invite you to visit Teible to savor firsthand the abundant local flavors and eco-friendly values we stand for. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy the surprising tastes found within even the simplest ingredients, brought to life by the passion of those who cultivate them.
Contact
Teible Restaurant, Jameel Arts Center, Ground Floor Jaddaf Waterfont, Dubai U.A.E
+971 4 243 6683
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