Vindication

I have always disliked, even despised, lasagna. It is the big loser in the otherwise exalted world of pasta. In fact, I think it demeaning to even call it pasta, as it is really a doughy, gloppy goo that is often surprisingly tasteless and consistently revolting. (One of the few exceptions was a dish I had in the Vatican's cafeteria.) Now I understand why this is. Memo to the Italians: This is a gift of Providence. Just keep your mouths shut.