Over the years here, I’ve highlighted food traditions connected to the date of February 2, which in the U.S. is know best as Groundhog Day. It’s also Candelmas, a Christian feast day, and Imbolc, a Celtic cross-quarter festival that starts the night before. This day is significant because it is the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. And it’s a day to eat pancakes, tamales, and sausages.
Below we’ll recap our roundups of where to find these foods to enjoy on February 2 as a way to welcome the increasing amount of light.
Pancakes, Tamales, and Ground Hogs
These three foods are what I associate with February 2, and they come from different traditions—some serious, and some not.
Pancakes
The reason you eat pancakes or crepes on February 2 is because these round, golden objects represent the sun, which we continue to see longer into the days as we move steadily toward its height at the summer solstice. In the Celtic calendar, Imbolc is the first day of spring.
This decision to eat pancakes on February 2 is a particularly popular one in France, Belgium, and Swiss Romandy. Here’s our 2024 roundup of places to get pancakes in the Portland area, updated this year.
Tamales
Eating tamales on February 2 is directly connected to the Rosca de Reyes consumption at Epiphany—if you find the muñeco (baby) in your piece of cake, you’re in charge of the tamales on Candelmas. And if that’s you—or if you just want to eat these delicious packets of masa and fillings—here’s our 2025 list of places to find tamales in the area, updated this year…