Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9x5" loaf pan by spraying with nonstick spray or lining with parchment paper.
To a large bowl, add wet ingredients and stir to combine.
1.5 cups grated zucchini, 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup avocado oil, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Add dry ingredients. Stir.
1 cup white whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
Fold in chocolate chips.
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the batter with a spatula to create an even surface, then sprinkle the turbinado sugar evenly over the top.
2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Bake for 60-65 minutes.
Let the chocolate zucchini bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Wait until fully cool before slicing.