Van Duijvenbode discusses love for aubergines: “I don't know why, it just makes me happy”

Dirk Van Duijvenbode has gained the moniker, the ‘Aubergenius’ in his darting career as he has rose due to working on an aubergine form.

It is aubergine season in the Netherlands right now and Van Duijvenbode discussed the origins of the nickname.

"The commentator Dan Dawson suddenly started calling me that, because I sometimes talked about aubergines. When I started to perform better as a darts player, others took to that name. It has really become my nickname," Van Duijvenbode told AD. NL.

The 28-year-old Dutchman has now been working at an aubergine farm for about fourteen years. "When I am happy, I automatically think of aubergines. I don't know why, it just makes me happy. I wouldn't call myself an aubergine ambassador, but because I am associated with it in that way, it is a bit like that."

Van Duijvenbode hopes that more and more people will eat aubergines. "It is wonderful that such a product comes from the region and that there is a Dutch aubergine season. I think it is a wonderfully tasty product and if it also comes from the region, I can appreciate it even more."

Finally, Van Duijvenbode has a tip for those who are still in doubt. "Start simple by, for example, using pieces of aubergine through your pasta. I can imagine that the taste and structure will take some getting used to in the beginning. If you like it, you can build it up slowly and eat more often. Moussaka is a real recommended one, it was the first aubergine dish I ever ate, really delicious!”