Izaak Walton, in the 'The Complete Angler' of 1653 has; "And in the spring they make of them excellent Minnow-tansies; for being washed well in salt, and their heads and tails cut off, and their guts taken out ... being fried with yolk of eggs, the flowers of cowslips and of primroses, and a little tansy; thus used they make a dainty dish of meat."


Cowslips from 'A Book of Fruits and Flowers', 1653