Scrumptious Orange, Zucchini and Chocolate Loaf... give it a try!

Orange, Chocolate and Zucchini Loaf

½ cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tsp finely grated orange zest

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 ½ cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 ½ cup loosely packed, coarsely grated zucchini

½ cup milk or dark chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat the oven the 350 F.  Grease a 9 – 5 inch pan and line the pan with parchment paper so that it comes up the sides.

Whisk the oil, eggs, sugar, zest and vanilla together in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Stir in the zucchini to coat it with the flour and add this to the wet mixture, stirring until blended.  Stir in the chocolate chips and scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the load for 50 to 60 minutes, until a tester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.  Cool the cake completely in the pan until turning out to slice.

The loaf will keep, well wrapped, for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.