Heat oven to 500 degrees. Peel the potatoes. Cut in half lengthwise, then in half across. Cut each piece lengthwise into 3 wedges by holding the knife so the blade points in at an angle as you cut into the potato. As the wedges are cut, put them into an 18x13x2 inch roasting pan.
Dot wedges with butter.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Scrape up the potatoes with a metal spatula and turn over. This helps them to cook and brown evenly.