Overwhelming year

This years vegetable garden has been overwhelming due to the fact that we had way more plants than we expected. There is brocolli, squash, tomatoes, eggplant, melons, etc... Almost all of it has things that need to be pulled. I have been giving it away like crazy all year. I learned my lesson I will not be planting so many plants of the same kind next year. I like a variety in my garden and because of the way I planted I didn't get that. What would you guys suggest for a WINTER crop? I live in california, we do get a freeze here but generally pretty warm during the days. But we get rain and wind sometimes.

i'm not the avid farmer, but mb if you grow some annual rye grass, then turn it over in spring, it'll help your soil from eroding and enrich it to an extent. if you want the best advice for your area call your local county agricultural extension service. they'll tell you a lot more than i can..

Any kind of suggestions will help. I was thinking of possibly finding some fava beans due to their nitrogen enrichment properties for the soil. I was also going to grow some winter squash, some potatoes, and now maybe some rye grass now that you mention it. I am trying to get an idea for what everybody is growing in their winter garden and see if any of it would work in my area.