Preheat oven to 350°

With a hand mixer, beat oil and sugar together. Add slightly beaten eggs and mix thoroughly

Mix together flour, baking soda, and salt

Beat into mixture, alternating with buttermilk until smooth

Stir in chopped nuts and lemon zest

Spoon into 9"x5" bread pans and bake for 1 hour

Cool slightly then remove from pans

Heat topping ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved

Place loaves on a piece of foil and use a skewer to poke holes into the bread for topping to soak through nearly to the bottom

Pour topping over bread and cool completely. Wrap with cling film and store in refrigerator or freezer