Edible San Diego

Surprisingly Bright Ways to Indulge in Citrus

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Photography by Olivia Hayo for Edible San Diego

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Photography by Olivia Hayo for Edible San Diego

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Photography by Haley Hazell for Edible San Diego

Cooking Together seasonal recipe capsule winter 2026

When life hands you lemons—and oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines—try them in a salad, a shrub, or a decadent and healthy cake. There are few places in the world where citrus grows in backyards, farms, and orchards like it does here. As a food magazine dedicated to highlighting seasonal ingredients, we take the responsibility of being obsessed with winter citrus seriously. Each recipe from the ediblesandiego.com archive celebrates the season’s juiciest gems, proving that sometimes the best local winter produce doesn’t come from a greenhouse—it comes from a grove.

Surprisingly bright ways to indulge in citrus

    CITRUS IN A SALAD

    Winter Citrus and Radicchio Salad with Poppy Seeds

    RECIPE BY HALEY HAZELL

    Bright ruby red grapefruit segments are layered with bitter radicchio and peppery arugula in this seasonally inspired salad. A generous sprinkling of poppy seeds adds subtle crunch, visual contrast, and a pop of unexpected flavor.

    » Get the recipe

    Olivia Hayo for Edible San Diego.

    MAKE CITRUS SHRUBS FOR SALAD DRESSINGS AND REFRESHMENTS

    Grapefruit Rosemary Shrub

    RECIPE COURTESY OF COOL HAND CO.

    Most shrub recipes use a 1:1:1 ratio of fruit, sugar, and vinegar. Macerate acidic fruits like citrus, berries, apples, pears, or stone fruit with white sugar and add your choice of raw vinegar. The resulting shrub is good enough to sip on its own, with a splash of seltzer, or added to a favorite cocktail. Shrubs can also add next-level flavor dimensions to basic vinaigrettes.

    » Make your own Grapefruit Rosemary Shrub

    Explore the world of clever concoctions dreamed up by these San Diego-made shrub makers:

    » coolhandco.com

    » gardenpartyshrubs.com

    Image: iStock/Candice Bell.

    TREAT YOURSELF AND FEATURE CITRUS IN AN ALL-OCCASION CAKE

    Andalusian Orange & Almond Upside-Down Cake

    RECIPE BY OLIVIA HAYO

    This coverworthy cake offers warming spices and a protein-rich base, making a good excuse to have it ready for everyday occasions like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Inspired by the almond blossoms and sun-warmed oranges of Andalusia, a hint of lemon with navel and blood oranges from the Little Italy Mercato brighten this gorgeous cake recipe that is sure to become a favorite meal plan staple.

    » Bake this cake

    Olivia Hayo for Edible San Diego.

    MORE WAYS TO PRESERVE CITRUS

    Making the most of winter bounty with sugar and salt

    STORY AND RECIPES BY JENNIFER FELMLEY

    As winter envelops Southern California, the region’s orchards burst with a kaleidoscope of citrus fruits, offering a vibrant antidote to the season’s chill. With the abundance of local, seasonal ingredients, what better way to celebrate winter than by exploring the versatile world of citrus? From preserving its essence to incorporating it into cozy recipes, let’s delve into the art of citrus preservation and culinary creativity during this bountiful season.

    » Preserve lemons and make citrus cheong

    Photo by Haley Hazell for Edible San Diego.

    JOIN THE WINTER 2026 COOKBOOK CLUB

    BY ARIANNA LITRENTA

    If there was ever a time to cozy up with the selections from our Cookbook Club series, it’s now. With winter in full swing, this selection feels like an invitation to slow down, reflect, and cook with intention.

    The three cookbooks featured here may appear vastly different at first glance, but they share a common theme of seasonality, nourishment, and warmth. Together, they strike the perfect balance to inspire a delicious and restorative start to 2026.

    » Delicious reading awaits