San Diego in the winter is an often overlooked place of bliss. From whale-watching off the cliffs of Point Loma to stargazing in the crystal clear east county skies, there’s much to enjoy in the cooler months. This time of year even allows for robust gardening in our region with varieties of kale, cauliflower, and cabbage revealing their sweetest flavors in January, February, and March. While you ponder what to plant in your plot, consider making Alexa Soto’s one-pot winter pozole recipe to warm your soul this week.

One-Pot Winter Pozole. Image by Alexa Soto for Edible San Diego.

Earlier this month San Diego County experienced a deluge of rainfall brought about by a strong coastal storm. Many local communities were severely impacted by flooding and subsequent property damage, particularly our neighbors in the Tijuana River Estuary and Southeast San Diego. Farms and residents lost crops, belongings, and in some cases, their homes. 

Many heroes in our food community have stepped up to help with recovery during this time of need. Local culinary foundation, the Bad Boyz of Culinary in partnership with North Park restaurant, Louisiana Purchase, led an effort to provide their community with free meals following the storm. Border X Brewing organized a drop-off location to collect personal care and baby item donations at its Barrio Logan tasting room. The Berry Good Food Foundation is raising funds to provide San Diego County small farms with flood rescue assistance and has reached half of its goal to provide $50,000 in grants for small farms impacted by flooding. These efforts and those of many other organizations and the people leading them show us the strength of the San Diego community and the power of caring for your neighbors in times of need. 

As we continue to support one another and donate to good causes if we can, make time to get out into the community and enjoy these upcoming events.

Shop with the besties at a Galentine’s Market. Image source: Del Mar Plaza.

Galentine’s Market

Saturday, February 3, noon to 5pm

Valentine’s Day isn’t only for couples. Celebrate with the gals at this weekend’s Galentine’s Market in collaboration with Dreamers Market at Del Mar Plaza. Prepare to be photogenic as the market will feature multiple photo opportunities! Window shop for giftable products crafted by local vendors, sip and savor delicious food and drinks, and groove to live music.

The 2024 Lunar New Year Festival will celebrate the year of the dragon. Image source: Little Saigon Foundation.

14th Annual San Diego Lunar New Year Festival

Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 11

Lunar New Year is an ancient celebration that honors the first new moon of the year and is often rung in with festivities and delicious eats such as dumplings, longevity noodles, and rare fruits. The holiday is among the most important of the year in many Asian cultures and San Diego’s Little Saigon Foundation will be hosting this year’s three-day festival at Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. Expect folk and traditional performances, arts and cultural exhibitions, lion dances and firecrackers, a pho eating contest, and plenty of family fun activities for the kids. The event is free and inclusive to all so don’t miss ushering in 2024, the year of the dragon!

The Ultimate Campus Marketplace Celebration for Black History Month

Saturday, February 17, 10am–4pm

Local Black marketplace curator, Soul Swap Meet, is back with another vibrant event showcasing the talents, culture, and beauty of San Diego’s Black community with their Ultimate Campus Marketplace at Palomar College. Shop crafts, clothing, and art from local Black-owned businesses and snack on bites from food trucks. Admission is free so mark your calendars for a day full of creativity, connection, and community in celebration of Black History Month.

Dr. Sabrina Strings. Image source: SD Public Library.

San Diego Library’s annual Black History Month Author Talk with Dr. Sabrina Strings

Sunday, February 25, 1–3pm

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Each February, San Diego Public Library honors Black history, celebrates culture and community, and recognizes the achievements as well as the ongoing struggles of Black Americans. This year the library welcomes author, Dr. Sabrina Strings. Dr. Strings is both the author of The End of Love: Racism, Sexism, & the Death of Romance and a professor and North Hall Chair of Black Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Join for an author talk and Q&A on the racial origins of toxic masculinity and its impact on women, especially Black and "insufficiently white" women. The discussion will be followed by a book signing and the event is free, registration is encouraged.

1st Annual Taste of South Bay

Sunday, February 25, 2–5pm

Soak in the soul of South Bay at this inaugural event hosted by Novo Brazil and San Diego Magazine. The festival-style day party will bring together the best bites, beverages, and products of San Diego’s South Bay. Tickets include an all-you-can-eat-and-drink fair where you can savor the flavors of San Diego’s southern gems.

Stay hungry, curious, and considerate,

Chef Ryan Rizzuto

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About the Contributor
Ryan Rizzuto
Ryan Rizzuto is a chef, entrepreneur, and event curator in San Diego. You can taste his work at his own soul food popup, Southside Biscuits. Chef Ryan was nationally-recognized as a 2020 Food Hero by Edible Communities and Niman Ranch for his Covid-19-related hunger relief operations at Kitchens for Good. Follow him on Instagram at @chefryanrizzuto and his soul food and public events at @southsidebiscuits.
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