Preheat oven to 375° F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside.
In a large bowl, stir together sugar, oil and eggs. Add zucchini and vanilla extract; stir to combine. Sprinkle baking soda, baking powder and salt over top. Stir until well blended.
Stir in flour and cinnamon; be careful not to over-mix. Fold in chopped nuts.
Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in a muffin comes out clean.