Start by washing and drying your zucchinis. Using a box grater, grate the zucchinis finely. There’s no need to peel them, as the skin adds additional nutrients and color. Once grated, place the zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and gently squeeze out any excess moisture.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Whisk this mixture until it’s smooth and well blended. Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for a lovely aromatic base.
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently but thoroughly. Fold in the grated zucchini, then stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans. If you’re using raisins or chocolate chips, fold those in last.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Oven times can vary, so start checking around 40 minutes.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Serve plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with a light cream cheese frosting for an extra special treat.